Mid City Times

Pioneers Rest Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Fort Worth, holds a unique place on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands as the only cemetery with such recognition in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is one of 11 in Texas. The site was listed in 2021 and also boasts two Texas Historical Commission plaques.

Located at 620 Samuels Ave., Pioneers Rest Cemetery serves as a public burial ground for residents of all faiths, with 1,500 burial sites spread over seven acres. Recent restoration efforts, funded by grants from the Texas Historical Commission, have focused on preserving the historic integrity of its main entrance. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to provide open green space in Fort Worth's Uptown Downtown neighborhood.

An all-volunteer nonprofit association oversees the preservation and public engagement of the cemetery, which remains accessible around the clock via a pedestrian gate. The cemetery's educational QR code program has gained positive attention from local media and serves as an example for similar projects nationwide. These QR codes offer visitors insights into the history and stories of those interred there.

Established in 1850, just after Fort Worth's founding as a military outpost, Pioneers Rest Cemetery is a vital historical site. It retains graves from Major Ripley Arnold’s original fort, including those of his children and 11 soldiers. Among its notable burials are early pioneers like General Tarrant, namesake of Tarrant County.

The cemetery's grave markers exhibit mid-19th to early 20th-century design styles including Gothic and Classical Revival motifs. Monthly volunteer opportunities exist for maintenance tasks like cleaning and planting flowers. Volunteers also support events such as Fall Fest.