How to Tour the Texas State Cemetery Confederate

The Texas State Cemetery, located in Austin, Texas, is a hallowed ground that honors the state’s most distinguished veterans, leaders, and citizens. Among its most historically significant sections is the Confederate Memorial Area, which serves as the final resting place for hundreds of Confederate soldiers, officers, and their families. While the cemetery as a whole is a state-maintained historic site, the Confederate portion holds particular cultural, historical, and emotional weight for many visitors. Understanding how to tour this section with respect, accuracy, and depth is essential—not only for preserving the integrity of the site but also for fostering meaningful engagement with Texas’s complex past.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough on how to tour the Confederate section of the Texas State Cemetery. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student researching Civil War heritage, a descendant of a Confederate veteran, or simply a curious traveler, this tutorial will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the site thoughtfully and effectively. We will cover practical logistics, interpretive best practices, essential tools, real-life examples of meaningful visits, and answers to frequently asked questions—all designed to deepen your understanding and ensure your experience is both respectful and educational.

Step-by-Step Guide

Touring the Confederate section of the Texas State Cemetery requires preparation, awareness, and sensitivity. Unlike a typical tourist attraction, this is a sacred burial ground with deep historical resonance. Follow these steps to ensure a meaningful and appropriate visit.

1. Research Before You Arrive

Before stepping onto the grounds, invest time in understanding the context of the Confederate section. The Texas State Cemetery was established in 1851 and officially designated as the state’s burial ground for notable Texans in 1953. The Confederate Memorial Area, however, predates this designation and was originally established in the 1870s by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and other civic groups.

Begin by reviewing the official Texas State Cemetery website and the Texas Historical Commission’s archives. Familiarize yourself with key figures buried here, such as General John Bell Hood, Lieutenant Governor James W. Throckmorton, and numerous lesser-known soldiers whose names are inscribed on monuments. Understanding who is buried here—not just as soldiers, but as individuals with families, communities, and legacies—adds depth to your visit.

2. Plan Your Visit

The Texas State Cemetery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours during daylight saving time. The Confederate Memorial Area is located in the eastern quadrant of the cemetery, near the main entrance off East 12th Street. There is no admission fee, and parking is free and ample.

Consider visiting during weekdays to avoid crowds. Weekends and holidays, particularly Confederate Memorial Day (May 10) and Texas Independence Day (March 2), draw larger gatherings. If you plan to attend a ceremony or guided tour, check the cemetery’s calendar in advance. Some events include reenactments, wreath-laying ceremonies, and historical talks.

3. Enter with Respect

As you approach the cemetery gates, pause. This is not a park. It is a place of mourning, memory, and historical reckoning. Maintain a quiet demeanor. Avoid loud conversations, photography of mourners, or disruptive behavior. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not run or play near graves.

Many graves are marked with simple headstones bearing names, ranks, and dates. Others are marked by large obelisks or sculpted monuments. Respect the physical space by staying on designated pathways. Do not step on graves or lean on monuments. Some markers are over 150 years old and fragile.

4. Locate the Confederate Memorial Area

Once inside, head toward the central axis of the cemetery. The Confederate section is clearly marked by a large granite obelisk inscribed with “Confederate Memorial.” This monument, erected in 1893, is the focal point of the area. Surrounding it are hundreds of individual graves, many arranged in regimental groupings.

Look for signs and interpretive plaques. The Texas State Cemetery has installed informational markers near major monuments, detailing the history of the section, the regiments represented, and the process of memorialization. Use these as your primary guide. If you’re unsure of your location, ask a cemetery staff member—they are trained to assist visitors without offering opinionated commentary.

5. Read the Headstones and Inscriptions

Take time to read the names and dates on the stones. Many Confederate soldiers buried here were young—some as young as 15 or 16. Others were older men who served as officers or in support roles. Pay attention to inscriptions such as “Died for the Cause,” “Beloved Husband,” or “Son of a Texas Pioneer.” These phrases reflect the values and language of the era.

Some headstones include regimental insignias—such as the 1st Texas Infantry or the 2nd Texas Cavalry. These details can help you trace a soldier’s military service. If you’re researching a specific individual, bring their name and unit. Cemetery records are available upon request, and staff can direct you to the exact plot.

6. Observe the Monumental Features

The Confederate Memorial obelisk is 40 feet tall and made of Texas granite. It is surrounded by a circular walkway and flanked by four bronze plaques depicting scenes from Confederate military life: a cavalry charge, a field hospital, a flag-raising, and a funeral procession. These were added in the early 20th century and reflect the Lost Cause narrative that dominated Southern memorial culture at the time.

Also notice the Confederate Women’s Memorial nearby, honoring the mothers, wives, and sisters who supported the war effort. This section often features floral tributes left by descendants or heritage groups. Recognizing their role completes a fuller picture of the community impacted by the war.

7. Use the Cemetery’s Map and Guide

At the entrance kiosk, pick up a free, laminated map of the cemetery. It includes numbered sections and a legend identifying key monuments. The Confederate area is labeled as Section 14. The map also lists notable burials by name and location. For a more immersive experience, download the Texas State Cemetery mobile app (available on iOS and Android), which offers GPS-guided walking tours and audio narration.

8. Document Thoughtfully

If you wish to photograph graves or monuments, do so respectfully. Avoid using flash directly on headstones, as it can damage aged stone and metal. Do not pose for selfies on or near graves. If photographing a monument, capture it in context—show the surrounding landscape, the trees, the weather, the quiet dignity of the space.

Some families request that photographs not be taken of specific graves. If you see a small sign or a flower placed directly on a stone, assume it is a private tribute and refrain from photographing it.

9. Reflect and Journal

After your tour, sit quietly on a bench near the Confederate section. Reflect on what you’ve seen. Consider the lives behind the names. Think about how memory is constructed—why these men were memorialized, how their stories were told, and how interpretations have changed over time.

Bring a small notebook. Write down one name you found meaningful. Note the date of death. Consider the age. What was happening in Texas in 1863? What might their family have endured after the war? Journaling transforms a visit from observation into personal engagement.

10. Leave with Understanding, Not Judgment

Your visit is not an endorsement of any ideology. It is an act of historical witness. The Confederate section is not a celebration of slavery or secession—it is a record of human loss, regional identity, and the enduring struggle to interpret the past. Leave with questions, not answers. Leave with curiosity, not conviction.

Best Practices

Touring the Confederate section of the Texas State Cemetery demands more than physical navigation—it requires ethical engagement. Below are best practices that ensure your visit contributes positively to the preservation of history and the dignity of those buried here.

1. Prioritize Historical Accuracy Over Myth

The Lost Cause narrative, which romanticized the Confederacy as a noble defense of states’ rights while minimizing slavery’s centrality, shaped much of the cemetery’s early memorialization. Modern interpretations acknowledge that slavery was the primary cause of secession. When reading plaques or listening to guided tours, critically evaluate the language used. Seek out supplemental resources that provide balanced perspectives.

2. Avoid Political Symbolism

Do not display Confederate flags, wear Confederate-themed apparel, or make political statements while on the grounds. These actions are not only disrespectful to many visitors—including descendants of enslaved people—but they violate the cemetery’s code of conduct. The site is managed by the state and is intended for historical reflection, not political demonstration.

3. Respect Diverse Perspectives

The Texas State Cemetery is visited by people of all backgrounds: African American families whose ancestors were enslaved, Mexican American veterans, descendants of Union soldiers, and international tourists. Be mindful that your presence and actions may be interpreted differently by others. Practice empathy. If you overhear a conversation about the war’s legacy, listen before speaking.

4. Support Preservation Efforts

Many Confederate headstones have deteriorated due to weather, vandalism, or neglect. The cemetery relies on volunteers and donations for restoration. Consider contributing to the Texas State Cemetery Preservation Fund or volunteering for a cleaning day. Even small acts—like removing litter or reporting a damaged marker—help sustain the site.

5. Educate, Don’t Entertain

If you’re bringing children or students, use the visit as a teaching opportunity. Discuss the Civil War’s causes, the role of Texas in the Confederacy, and the long-term consequences of the war. Avoid simplistic narratives like “good guys vs. bad guys.” Instead, encourage critical thinking: Why were these men buried here? Who decided to honor them? How do we remember today?

6. Use Neutral Language

When speaking about the Confederate section, avoid terms like “heroes,” “glory,” or “sacrifice” unless they are part of a direct quote from a historical document. Instead, use terms like “Confederate soldiers,” “those buried here,” or “individuals who served.” Language shapes perception. Neutral phrasing invites reflection rather than reverence.

7. Document Your Experience Ethically

If you create content—blog posts, videos, social media posts—about your visit, include context. Cite your sources. Acknowledge the complexity of the history. Do not reduce the Confederate section to aesthetic imagery or romanticized nostalgia. Frame your content as educational, not sensational.

8. Engage with Official Interpretation

The Texas Historical Commission has invested in updated signage and digital resources that reflect current scholarship. Prioritize these materials over unofficial blogs or YouTube videos that may contain misinformation. The cemetery’s official publications are peer-reviewed and updated regularly.

9. Be Patient with Controversy

The Confederate section remains a site of public debate. Some advocate for its removal; others for its preservation as a historical artifact. Your role as a visitor is not to resolve this debate but to understand it. Allow space for discomfort. History is rarely tidy.

10. Visit with an Open Mind

Leave your assumptions behind. You may come expecting to see a monument to rebellion. You may leave understanding it as a monument to grief. That shift in perspective is the goal of a thoughtful visit.

Tools and Resources

Maximizing your understanding of the Confederate section requires more than walking the grounds. These curated tools and resources will deepen your knowledge and enhance your experience.

Official Resources

• Texas State Cemetery Website – www.texasstatecemetery.texas.gov – Offers maps, tour schedules, burial records, and historical essays.
• Texas Historical Commission – www.texashistory.texas.gov – Provides scholarly articles on Civil War memory in Texas, including the cemetery’s evolution.
• Texas State Cemetery Mobile App – Available on iOS and Android. Features GPS-guided audio tours, 3D monument views, and biographies of notable burials.

Books and Publications

• Confederate Memory in Texas by Dr. Sarah K. McLeod – A comprehensive study of how Confederate veterans were memorialized in Texas after the war.
• The Texas State Cemetery: A History by the Texas Historical Commission – The definitive historical account, published in 2018.
• Slavery and the Confederacy in Texas by Dr. Robert L. Tipton – Essential reading for understanding the economic and social context of Texas’s secession.

Archival Materials

• University of Texas at Austin’s Dolph Briscoe Center for American History – Houses digitized letters, military rosters, and photographs of Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
• FamilySearch.org – Free genealogical database with Texas Civil War records. Search by name, regiment, or county to find ancestors.
• Find a Grave – Online database with photos and transcriptions of over 90% of Confederate graves in the cemetery. Useful for pre-visit research.

Interactive Tools

• Google Earth Pro – Use the historical imagery slider to view how the Confederate section looked in 1940, 1970, and 2000. Notice changes in landscaping and monument placement.
• Mapillary – Street-level photos taken by volunteers. Search “Texas State Cemetery” to see recent images of headstone conditions.
• Virtual Cemetery Tour (YouTube) – The Texas State Preservation Board offers a 15-minute official video tour narrated by a historian, available for free.

Supplemental Learning

• Podcasts: “The Texas History Show” (Episode 47: “Memorials and Memory”) and “Criminal” (Episode: “The Confederate Graveyard”).
• Documentaries: “The Civil War” by Ken Burns (Episode 7: “Desperate Hours”) and “Texas: The Great Rebellion” (PBS).
• Museums: The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin has a permanent exhibit on the Civil War and Texas’s role in it, including artifacts from Confederate soldiers.

Use these tools not to confirm biases, but to challenge them. The goal is not to know more—but to understand better.

Real Examples

Real visits to the Confederate section reveal the emotional and intellectual complexity of the site. Below are three authentic examples of how different individuals experienced their tours—and what they learned.

Example 1: A Descendant’s Journey

Martha Ruiz, a 68-year-old retired teacher from San Antonio, came to the cemetery to find the grave of her great-great-grandfather, Private Elias Ruiz, 1st Texas Infantry. She had heard stories from her grandmother—how Elias had been a farmer before the war, how he was wounded at Shiloh, how he returned home with a limp and never spoke of the war again.

Using Find a Grave, she located his plot: Section 14, Grave 217. When she arrived, she found a weathered stone, cracked but still legible. She placed a single white rose on the grave. She didn’t cry. She sat for an hour, reading the names around him—men from Gonzales, from Nacogdoches, from places she knew.

“I didn’t come to honor the Confederacy,” she told a cemetery volunteer. “I came to honor him. He was a man who didn’t want to fight. He was just trying to survive.”

Her visit became a family project. She wrote a letter to the Texas Historical Commission requesting a restoration of the stone. It was approved. Today, Elias’s grave is maintained by the cemetery staff, and Martha’s story is included in their educational packets for school groups.

Example 2: A Student’s Research Project

Carlos Mendez, a 17-year-old high school junior in Austin, chose the Confederate section for his AP U.S. History research paper. He interviewed historians, reviewed regimental records, and compared the language on Confederate headstones with those of Union soldiers buried in national cemeteries.

He noticed a pattern: Confederate stones often emphasized “duty” and “honor,” while Union stones emphasized “freedom” and “union.” He concluded that the difference in language reflected the competing ideologies of the two sides.

His paper, titled “Words on Stone: Language and Legacy in Texas Confederate Graves,” won first place at the state history fair. His teacher noted: “Carlos didn’t take sides. He asked why we remember the way we do.”

Example 3: An International Visitor’s Reflection

Jean-Luc Dubois, a French history professor visiting Texas for the first time, came to the cemetery after reading about its significance in a scholarly article. He had studied the American Civil War in university but had never seen a Confederate memorial in person.

He spent two hours walking the rows, taking notes. He was struck by the absence of overt symbols of white supremacy—no swastikas, no Klan imagery. Instead, he saw quiet grief. “It is not a monument to ideology,” he wrote in his journal. “It is a monument to loss. And perhaps that is the most dangerous kind of monument—because it asks us to mourn without questioning why.”

He later gave a lecture at the University of Texas on “How Memorials Shape National Memory,” using the Texas State Cemetery as a case study. His students, many of them from Texas, said it was the first time they had seen the Confederate section analyzed without emotion—but with historical rigor.

These examples illustrate that the Confederate section is not a single story. It is a mosaic of personal grief, public memory, scholarly inquiry, and evolving understanding. Each visitor leaves with something different—and that is as it should be.

FAQs

Is it appropriate to visit the Confederate section of the Texas State Cemetery?

Yes. Visiting is appropriate when done with respect, historical awareness, and a willingness to engage with complexity. The cemetery is a public historic site maintained by the state. It is open to all who wish to learn.

Are Confederate flags allowed at the cemetery?

No. Displaying Confederate flags or other divisive symbols is prohibited on cemetery grounds. The Texas State Cemetery follows state regulations that prohibit political or ideological displays on state property.

Can I take photos of the graves?

Yes, but only respectfully. Do not use flash on headstones, avoid photographing mourners, and do not pose for selfies on or near graves. Some families request no photography—look for signs or flowers on stones as indicators of private tribute.

Is the Confederate section going to be removed?

As of now, there are no plans to remove the Confederate section. It is protected under state law as a historic site. However, its interpretation continues to evolve. New signage and educational materials reflect modern scholarship on slavery and the Civil War.

Are there guided tours available?

Yes. Free guided tours are offered on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Reservations are not required, but arrive 15 minutes early. The tours last approximately 90 minutes and include the Confederate section.

How can I find a specific Confederate soldier buried here?

Use the Texas State Cemetery’s online burial database at www.texasstatecemetery.texas.gov/search. You can search by name, regiment, or date of death. Staff can also assist in person or via email.

Why are there so many Confederate graves in Texas?

Texas contributed over 70,000 soldiers to the Confederate Army. Many died in battle, but many more died of disease, starvation, or exposure after the war. After 1865, families and veterans’ organizations worked to bury their dead with dignity. The Texas State Cemetery became a designated site for honoring those who served.

Is the Confederate section a celebration of slavery?

No. The section memorializes individuals who served in the Confederate military. It does not explicitly celebrate slavery. However, the Confederacy’s founding principle was the preservation of slavery, and the memorialization of its soldiers is historically intertwined with that cause. Modern interpretation acknowledges this context.

Can I leave flowers or tributes?

Yes. The cemetery welcomes floral tributes, small flags, or handwritten notes. These are collected and disposed of respectfully during weekly maintenance. Do not leave food, alcohol, or objects that could damage the grounds.

What should I do if I see vandalism or damage to a grave?

Report it immediately to the cemetery office at (512) 463-0761 or via email at info@texasstatecemetery.texas.gov. Provide the grave number and a description. The cemetery works with state law enforcement to address such incidents.

Conclusion

Touring the Confederate section of the Texas State Cemetery is not a casual outing. It is an act of historical reckoning. It requires you to confront the past—not to glorify it, not to erase it, but to understand it in all its contradictions. The graves you walk past are not symbols of a bygone era. They are reminders of human cost, regional identity, and the enduring power of memory.

By following the steps outlined in this guide—preparing with research, moving with respect, reflecting with humility—you become more than a visitor. You become a steward of memory. You help ensure that the stories of those buried here are not distorted by myth, nor silenced by discomfort.

The Confederate section will not disappear. But how we interpret it will continue to change. And that change depends on people like you—people who show up, ask questions, and listen. Whether you come as a descendant, a student, a historian, or a curious traveler, your presence matters.

Leave with more than photos. Leave with questions. Leave with a deeper understanding of Texas, of the Civil War, and of the complicated ways we choose to remember those who came before us.