On September 2, 2025, the Texas Historical Commission designated the Payne Gap Cemetery as an Historic Texas Cemetery, the culmination of a rigorous application process. The title becomes official when it is certified at the November 2025 meeting of the Texas Historical Commission. The Mills County Historical Commission, working under the THC, sponsored the application. Mills County now has seven cemeteries with the designation: Duren Cemetery, Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery, Jones Valley Cemetery, Mohler Cemetery, Payne Gap Cemetery, South Bennett Cemetery, and Williams Ranch Cemetery.
Citing the historical importance of Texas cemeteries, the commission writes, “Cemeteries are important keys to Texas’ past. They are reminders of settlement patterns and reveal information about historic events, religion, lifestyles, and genealogy … The HTC designation was developed in 1998 to help protect historic cemeteries by recording cemetery boundaries in county deed records to alert present and future owners of land adjacent to the cemetery of its existence. Every county in Texas has at least one cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery through this program. The HTC designation is the first step toward preservation of a historic cemetery.”
This is a great honor. Thank you, Sam Duncan, for the time and effort needed to make this happen. The families of those who are buried there appreciate your efforts in getting this recognition for their loved ones.
Thank you Sam. We need more of our Old Mills County Cemeterys Designated as Historic. They certenly are part of our County History. Also honoring County Pioneers.
Sam this is an outstanding piece of work on your part. Your family was one of the first to settle at Payne Gap, before the War Between the States, and one of your ancestors did not survive an attack there by Comanche Indians in 1863. Your efforts to preserve the historical fabric of the territory, which also include restoration and preservation of the adjacent schoolhouse, are commendable. – William Osborn Austin, Texas
Hey William, your interest in our local history has been infectious and such a boost to my work. Thank you!