Old City Cemetery
Although it was not a military cemetery, dozens of town residents who were involved in the Civil War—either in military or governmental roles—were interred there after the war. Some of those buried here were local figures who served the Confederacy in the Rio Grande Valley. William Neale was a Captain in Brownsville’s Home Guard and also served in the 3rd Texas Infantry and as a cotton inspector in Brownsville. Victor Egly, for example, was an Assistant Engineer aboard the Confederate Naval ship “Neptune,” while Joseph James Cocke served as a Corporal in the 1st Virginia Artillery Regiment and saw action in battles at Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, and Fredericksburg. William and John Putegnat each served with units from Alabama: William in the 2nd Alabama Infantry and John in the 32nd Alabama Infantry as well as other units. These include George M Dennett, who served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 9th Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops; Eugenio Guzman who was a 2nd Lieutenant of the U.S. 1st Texas Cavalry; and Welcome Alonzo Crafts, who held the rank of Captain in the Fifth New Hampshire Infantry. Many became important figures in the development of Brownsville and their names are preserved not only on the tombstones in this historic cemetery, but also on schools and community buildings throughout the modern city.
Listen
Details
Location: Old City Cemetery Center 1004 East 6th Street(Corner of 6th and Monroe), Brownsville, TX 78520
Access: The Cemetery is open from dawn until dusk daily.| Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm | Sundays & Mondays: Closed
Contact:
Eugene Fernandez
Cemetery Director
956-541-1167
The Old City Cemetery Center and the Historic City Cemetery is free to the public year-round. Guided Tours available by appointment:
$7.00 for groups of 14 or less
$4.00 for groups of 15 or more
GPS Coordinates
Photos
James T. Johnson tomb stone
Victor Egly tomb stone
Brownsville City Cemetery marker