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Historic Landmark Commission initiates local landmarking for Bethany Cemetery
Summary
The Historic Landmark Commission voted to initiate historic landmark zoning for Bethany Cemetery (1308 Springdale Road), citing its significance as Austin’s oldest known Black cemetery and its documented community value; the move will advance a recommendation for formal designation to later review bodies.
The Historic Landmark Commission unanimously moved Jan. 7 to initiate historic landmark zoning for Bethany Cemetery at 1308 Springdale Road.
Staff recommended the action on the basis of the site’s community value, landscape features and historical associations, noting Bethany is the oldest known Black cemetery in Austin and contains rare early concrete headstones and ties to locally significant individuals. “Bethany Cemetery’s continued existence is a testament to the strength of the African American community in Austin,” staff said during the presentation.
Sue Spears Martin, president of the Bethany Cemetery Association, described the site as “a history book … a living archive of Austin’s Black history,” and asked the commission to safeguard the cemetery’s physical and cultural legacy. Preservation advocates, including Megan King Namor of Preservation Austin and the East Austin Conservancy’s executive director, also urged the commission to act. Preservation Austin highlighted the cemetery’s role as a genealogical record and noted prior state-level recognition, including a Texas Historical Commission marker placed in 1997.
Vice Chair Evans, who moved the recommendation, and others on the dais framed the step as long overdue and a way to help the cemetery access preservation resources. Commissioners emphasized that initiating zoning is only an early step: subsequent reviews by the Planning Commission and City Council remain necessary before final local landmark designation is complete.
The motion to initiate historic zoning passed on the record with all voting commissioners indicating support; Commissioner Rice had told staff he would arrive late and was not present for the vote. Next steps are the formal processing and hearings required by city code and any further documentation or conditions requested by staff.
