How to Tour the Texas State Cemetery

The Texas State Cemetery, located in Austin, is more than a burial ground—it is a living archive of Texas history, a place where the state’s most influential leaders, heroes, and pioneers rest in solemn dignity. Established in 1851, this 33-acre site is the final resting place for governors, legislators, military heroes, astronauts, educators, and cultural icons who shaped the identity of the Lone Star State. Unlike traditional cemeteries, the Texas State Cemetery is curated as a historic landmark, offering guided and self-guided tours that provide deep insight into Texas’s political, military, and social evolution. Whether you’re a history buff, a student, a tourist, or a local resident seeking meaningful reflection, touring the cemetery offers an unparalleled educational and emotional experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan, navigate, and fully appreciate a visit to the Texas State Cemetery.

Step-by-Step Guide

Touring the Texas State Cemetery is a structured yet flexible experience. Unlike a museum with rigid hours and enforced itineraries, the cemetery invites personal exploration while preserving its solemn character. Below is a detailed, step-by-step process to ensure your visit is informative, respectful, and memorable.

Step 1: Plan Your Visit

Before arriving, determine the best time to visit. The cemetery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours during daylight saving time. Weekdays are generally less crowded, offering a quieter atmosphere for contemplation. Weekends may see more families and school groups, which can be beneficial if you’re seeking guided tours or educational programs.

Check the official Texas State Cemetery website for seasonal changes, special events, or closures due to weather or maintenance. Rain can make pathways slippery, and extreme heat in summer months may affect comfort levels. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer softer lighting for photography and cooler temperatures.

Step 2: Arrive and Park

The cemetery is located at 909 Navasota Street, Austin, TX 78702. Public parking is available in a dedicated lot adjacent to the main entrance on Navasota Street. There is no fee for parking. Overflow parking is permitted on nearby side streets if the main lot is full, but avoid blocking driveways or fire lanes.

Upon arrival, you’ll notice the wrought-iron gates and the iconic limestone archway marking the entrance. This structure, erected in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration, is itself a historic artifact. Take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship and symbolism before proceeding.

Step 3: Visit the Visitor Center

Just inside the gates, you’ll find the Visitor Center—a modest but richly informative building housing exhibits, archival materials, and staff who can assist with your tour. The center is open during regular cemetery hours and offers free brochures, maps, and pamphlets. Even if you plan to tour independently, stop here first.

At the front desk, you may request a printed map of the cemetery, which highlights major sections, notable graves, and walking routes. Digital versions are also available via QR codes on signage. Staff can recommend specific graves based on your interests—whether you’re drawn to military figures, governors, or women who broke barriers in Texas history.

Step 4: Choose Your Tour Type

The Texas State Cemetery offers three primary ways to experience the grounds:

• Self-Guided Tour: Ideal for independent learners. Use the map and interpretive signage to explore at your own pace.
• Guided Group Tour: Available by reservation for groups of 10 or more. These 60- to 90-minute tours are led by trained docents and cover key historical narratives.
• Audio Tour: Accessible via smartphone. Scan QR codes at designated stations to hear stories, biographies, and historical context in real time as you walk.

For first-time visitors, we recommend starting with the audio tour or a self-guided walk with the printed map. The audio tour provides depth without requiring a guide, and you can pause, rewind, or skip sections as needed.

Step 5: Follow the Recommended Route

To maximize your experience, follow this logical path through the cemetery’s major sections:

1. Entrance and Memorial Plaza: Begin at the central plaza, where the Texas State Cemetery Memorial stands. This monument honors all Texas veterans, regardless of burial location. Read the inscriptions and reflect on the scope of sacrifice.
2. Confederate Section: Located to the left of the main path, this area contains the graves of Confederate soldiers and officers. The section includes a stone obelisk erected in 1900, one of the oldest memorials on-site.
3. State Leaders Section: Head toward the elevated ridge where many governors and legislators are buried. Notable figures include Miriam “Ma” Ferguson (Texas’s first female governor), James Hogg (the first native-born governor), and Ann Richards (known for her wit and progressive policies).
4. Military Heroes Section: This area features graves of Medal of Honor recipients, astronauts, and soldiers from every major U.S. conflict since the Civil War. The grave of astronaut Michael J. Smith, who perished in the Challenger disaster, is a poignant stop.
5. Women of Texas Section: Dedicated to pioneering women in education, civil rights, law, and public service. Includes the graves of suffragist Minnie Fisher Cunningham and educator and activist Dr. Emma Tenayuca.
6. Native American and Hispanic Heritage Section: A growing section honoring Indigenous leaders and Tejano figures who shaped Texas’s cultural landscape. Look for the grave of Juan Seguín, a key figure in the Texas Revolution who served as mayor of San Antonio.
7. Final Stop: The Texas State Cemetery Office and Archives: If time permits, ask if you can view the archives (by appointment). Here, you can access burial records, photographs, and personal letters of those interred.

Each section is clearly marked with interpretive signs that provide context, dates, and historical significance. Take your time reading them. Many of the inscriptions include personal quotes, military citations, or family dedications that humanize the historical figures.

Step 6: Observe Etiquette and Respect

The Texas State Cemetery is a sacred space. Maintain quiet conversations, avoid loud music or cell phone use, and never climb on or touch monuments. Do not leave flowers or personal items unless they are placed in designated receptacles. Pets are allowed on leashes, but must remain under control at all times.

Photography is permitted for personal use, but commercial photography requires prior written permission from the cemetery office. Avoid staging posed photos near gravesites out of respect for families and the solemn nature of the site.

Step 7: Reflect and Document

Before leaving, find a quiet bench under the live oaks and reflect on what you’ve learned. Consider journaling your thoughts or taking notes on figures who inspired you. Many visitors leave with a renewed appreciation for the complexity of Texas history—not just its battles and politics, but its people.

If you’re a student or educator, this is an ideal place to collect primary-source material for research projects. The cemetery’s official website provides downloadable lesson plans aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards for grades 4–12.

Best Practices

To ensure your tour is not only informative but also respectful and sustainable, follow these best practices developed through decades of visitor feedback and historical preservation standards.

Respect the Sacred Nature of the Site

The Texas State Cemetery is not a tourist attraction—it is a final resting place. Even though it is open to the public, treat it with the reverence due to any cemetery. Avoid sitting on graves, leaning on monuments, or using them as photo backdrops. Many families visit to honor loved ones; your quiet demeanor supports their healing.

Wear Appropriate Footwear and Clothing

The grounds are hilly and uneven in places, with grass, gravel, and cobblestone paths. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. In summer, temperatures often exceed 95°F, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. In winter, layers are advised—wind can be brisk on the open ridges. Avoid wearing revealing clothing or flip-flops, as they are both impractical and disrespectful.

Bring a Notebook or Digital Device for Notes

There is an extraordinary amount of information embedded in the names, dates, and epitaphs. A notebook or note-taking app can help you record details that spark further research. For example, you might note: “Governor Coke R. Stevenson, 1888–1971—led Texas through WWII; opposed federal overreach.” Later, you can explore his role in the 1948 Senate race against Lyndon B. Johnson.

Use Official Resources, Not Crowdsourced Apps

While apps like Google Maps or Yelp may show the cemetery’s location, they lack historical context. Rely on the cemetery’s official map, audio tour, and website for accurate biographies and placement details. Crowdsourced data often misidentifies graves or omits key figures.

Time Your Visit to Avoid Overcrowding

Peak visitation occurs during Memorial Day, Texas Independence Day (March 2), and Veterans Day. While these days feature special ceremonies, they are also crowded. For a contemplative experience, visit mid-week in April, October, or November. The weather is pleasant, and the grounds are peaceful.

Support Preservation Efforts

The Texas State Cemetery is maintained by the Texas Historical Commission and relies on donations and volunteer efforts. Consider making a small contribution at the Visitor Center or purchasing a commemorative publication. Your support helps restore crumbling headstones, plant native vegetation, and digitize records.

Engage with Staff and Volunteers

The cemetery’s docents are passionate historians, many of whom have spent decades researching the lives of those buried there. If you have a question—no matter how small—ask. They often know stories not written on plaques: anecdotes about a governor’s sense of humor, a soldier’s last letter home, or a family’s decades-long tradition of visiting a grave on Christmas Eve.

Teach Others

If you’re visiting with children or students, turn the tour into a learning opportunity. Ask them to pick one grave and write a short biography based on the inscription. Encourage them to imagine the person’s life. This transforms passive sightseeing into active historical engagement.

Tools and Resources

Maximizing your visit to the Texas State Cemetery requires more than just a map—it requires access to curated tools and authoritative resources that deepen your understanding.

Official Texas State Cemetery Website

The primary resource is tshaonline.org/cemetery, hosted by the Texas State Historical Association. This site includes:

• Interactive map with clickable graves
• Biographical entries for over 3,000 individuals
• Historical timelines and thematic exhibits
• Downloadable educational packets for teachers
• Calendar of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities

Every grave with a known history is documented here with primary sources, including obituaries, military records, and letters. This is the most accurate and comprehensive database available.

Audio Tour App

The cemetery’s official audio tour is available through the “Texas State Cemetery” app, downloadable on iOS and Android. The tour features 25 stops with narration by historians and descendants of those buried. Audio clips range from 60 to 180 seconds and include ambient sounds—birds, wind through trees—to enhance immersion.

Features include:

• GPS-triggered playback as you approach each site
• Transcripts for accessibility
• Option to listen in Spanish
• Offline mode for areas with poor cell service

Printed Materials

At the Visitor Center, request:

• “The Texas State Cemetery: A Guide to Its People and Places” – a 48-page booklet with photographs and profiles of 50 key individuals.
• “Texas Veterans: Buried with Honor” – a focused guide on military graves and their service records.
• “Women Who Shaped Texas” – a thematic pamphlet highlighting female pioneers.

These booklets are free and make excellent keepsakes or teaching tools.

Digitized Archives

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) maintains digitized records of cemetery burials dating back to 1851. Access these through tsl.texas.gov using the search term “Texas State Cemetery Burial Records.”

Records include:

• Death certificates
• Funeral program transcripts
• Correspondence between families and the state
• Photographs of graves before and after restoration

These are invaluable for genealogists and researchers.

Books and Publications

For deeper context, consult these authoritative publications:

• Resting in Glory: The Texas State Cemetery by Dr. Patricia L. Johnson – A scholarly work on the cemetery’s founding and evolution.
• Texas Governors: Lives and Legacies by the Texas State Historical Association – Profiles of every governor buried here.
• Heroes of the Alamo and Beyond by James L. Haley – Includes chapters on military figures interred at the cemetery.

These books are available at the Visitor Center, local bookstores, and through the Texas State Historical Association’s online store.

Virtual Tours

Can’t visit in person? The cemetery offers a 360-degree virtual tour on its website. Navigate through the grounds using your mouse or touchscreen, click on graves for pop-up bios, and listen to audio clips. This tool is especially useful for remote learners, seniors with mobility challenges, or international audiences.

Real Examples

To illustrate the depth and emotional power of the Texas State Cemetery, here are three detailed examples of individuals buried there—each representing a different facet of Texas history.

Example 1: Ann Richards (1933–2006)

Ann Richards, the 45th governor of Texas, is buried in the State Leaders Section. Her grave is marked by a simple granite stone inscribed with her name, birth and death dates, and the phrase: “She was a fighter.”

Richards, a Democrat, served from 1991 to 1995 and was known for her sharp wit, progressive policies, and unapologetic advocacy for women and minorities. She famously opened the 1988 Democratic National Convention with the line: “Poor George [H.W. Bush], he was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.”

Her grave is often visited by students studying gender politics and by women seeking inspiration. Visitors frequently leave pens, notebooks, or small notes on her stone—testaments to her enduring legacy as a voice for the underrepresented.

Example 2: Michael J. Smith (1945–1986)

Astronaut Michael J. Smith, pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger, is buried in the Military Heroes Section. His grave is a simple white marble marker with a NASA emblem and the words: “He reached for the stars.”

Smith, a Navy veteran and test pilot, was selected as an astronaut in 1978. He flew on STS-51-B in 1985 and was assigned to STS-51-L when the Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch. His remains were recovered and interred at the cemetery in 1987.

His grave is one of the most visited by school groups. Teachers often bring students here to discuss courage, risk, and the cost of scientific progress. A nearby plaque includes a quote from Smith’s final radio transmission: “Go, Challenger.”

Example 3: Juan Seguín (1806–1890)

Juan Seguín, a Tejano revolutionary leader and former mayor of San Antonio, is buried in the Native American and Hispanic Heritage Section. His grave was unmarked for decades until a grassroots campaign in the 1990s restored it with a bronze bust and bilingual inscription.

Seguín fought alongside Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto, served as a senator in the Republic of Texas, and later faced ostracism for his Mexican heritage. He spent his final years in exile in Mexico before being buried in Austin with honors.

His grave symbolizes the complex, often erased, contributions of Mexican Texans to the state’s founding. Today, it is a site of cultural pride. On Cinco de Mayo and Texas Independence Day, local schools and cultural organizations hold small ceremonies here, often placing marigolds and Mexican flags beside the stone.

These three examples reveal the cemetery’s true power: it does not just commemorate the powerful—it tells the story of Texas through the lives of those who shaped it, for better or worse, in triumph and tragedy.

FAQs

Is the Texas State Cemetery open to the public every day?

Yes, the cemetery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. year-round. It is closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Are guided tours available for individuals?

Guided tours are primarily for groups of 10 or more. However, individuals can join scheduled public tours held on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. No reservation is required for these.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, leashed pets are welcome. Please clean up after them and keep them away from gravesites.

Is photography allowed?

Personal photography is permitted. Commercial photography, drone use, and filming require written permission from the Texas Historical Commission.

Are there restrooms or water fountains?

Restrooms are available in the Visitor Center. There are no water fountains on the grounds, so bring your own water, especially in summer.

How long does a typical tour take?

A self-guided tour takes 60 to 90 minutes. A full exploration with reading, reflection, and archive visits can take up to three hours.

Can I find out if someone is buried here?

Yes. Use the online burial database at tshaonline.org/cemetery or contact the cemetery office directly with the person’s full name and approximate date of death.

Are there wheelchair-accessible paths?

Yes. Main pathways are paved and wheelchair accessible. The Visitor Center and restrooms are fully ADA compliant. Staff can provide a mobility map upon request.

Can I donate to help maintain the cemetery?

Yes. Donations support restoration projects, educational programs, and native landscaping. Checks can be mailed to the Texas State Cemetery Office, or donations can be made online via the official website.

Is the cemetery associated with the Texas Veterans Commission?

While the cemetery honors veterans, it is managed by the Texas Historical Commission. The Texas Veterans Commission supports veterans’ services statewide but does not operate the cemetery.

Conclusion

Touring the Texas State Cemetery is not merely an excursion—it is an act of historical reverence. In a world increasingly dominated by digital noise and fleeting trends, this quiet expanse of limestone, oak, and memory offers something rare: a tangible connection to the people who built the state we live in today. Each grave is a chapter. Each monument, a sentence. Together, they form the unwritten biography of Texas.

Whether you come to honor a veteran, study a governor’s legacy, or simply walk among the quietest corners of Austin’s soul, you leave changed. The cemetery does not shout its history—it whispers it. And if you listen closely, you’ll hear the voices of Miriam Ferguson, Michael Smith, Juan Seguín, and thousands more, reminding us that progress is never made in a vacuum. It is carved by courage, sacrifice, and sometimes, quiet perseverance.

Plan your visit. Walk the paths. Read the stones. Ask questions. Share what you learn. In doing so, you become part of the cemetery’s living story—not as a visitor, but as a steward of memory.