How to Tour the Texas State Cemetery Presidents

The Texas State Cemetery, located in Austin, is more than a resting place—it is a living archive of Texas history. Among its 45 acres of rolling hills and shaded oak trees lie the final remains of governors, legislators, military leaders, and, most notably, seven individuals who served as President of the Republic of Texas. While Texas was never a U.S. state during its independent era (1836–1845), its presidents laid the foundational governance structures that shaped the modern state. Touring the graves of these leaders offers a profound connection to the birth of Texas identity, its struggles for sovereignty, and its eventual annexation into the United States. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to planning, navigating, and interpreting a meaningful visit to the Texas State Cemetery Presidents’ section. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student, a local resident, or a tourist seeking authentic cultural experiences, understanding how to tour this site with depth and respect will transform a simple walk into an immersive historical journey.

Step-by-Step Guide

Planning a visit to the Texas State Cemetery Presidents requires more than just showing up. Each president buried here has a unique story, and their gravesites reflect the political, social, and economic climate of early Texas. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a thorough, respectful, and educational experience.

Step 1: Research the Presidents Buried at the Cemetery

Before visiting, identify the seven Presidents of the Republic of Texas interred at the Texas State Cemetery. These include:

• Sam Houston (1836–1838, 1841–1844)
• David G. Burnet (Interim President, 1836)
• Mirabeau B. Lamar (1838–1841)
• Anson Jones (1844–1845)
• Edward Burleson (Vice President under Houston, later interim president)
• Jose Antonio Navarro (Not a president, but a key figure often associated with early leadership)
• James Pinckney Henderson (First state governor after annexation, previously Republic’s Secretary of War)

Note: While not all of these individuals held the formal title of president, Houston, Burnet, Lamar, and Jones are the only four officially recognized presidents of the Republic. Burleson served briefly as interim president during Houston’s absence. Navarro and Henderson are often included in guided tours due to their pivotal roles in the Republic’s formation and transition to statehood. Clarify your focus: are you seeking only the four official presidents, or the broader leadership circle?

Use reputable sources such as the Texas State Cemetery official website, the Texas State Historical Association, and university archives to gather biographical summaries, dates of service, and notable achievements. Understanding their roles will help you appreciate the significance of their burial locations.

Step 2: Plan Your Visit Timing and Route

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 best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat and crowds. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, especially during school terms.

Upon arrival, stop at the visitor center located at the main entrance (909 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702). Here, you can pick up a free, detailed map that marks the location of each president’s grave, along with interpretive signs and historical context. The cemetery is laid out in a grid pattern with numbered sections, making navigation straightforward.

Plan your route in this recommended order:

1. Start at the Sam Houston Monument—the largest and most prominent grave in the cemetery. This is the centerpiece of the presidents’ section.
2. Proceed to the David G. Burnet Grave, located nearby in Section 1, Row 1.
3. Continue to the Mirabeau B. Lamar Memorial, situated under a large live oak in Section 2.
4. Visit the Anson Jones Tomb, a more modest structure but rich in symbolism related to the annexation of Texas.
5. End at the graves of Edward Burleson and James Pinckney Henderson, which provide context for the transition from Republic to State.

This route follows a chronological narrative of Texas’s independence and statehood, allowing you to experience the evolution of leadership over time.

Step 3: Observe Grave Markers and Symbolism

Each grave is more than a headstone—it is a historical artifact. Pay attention to materials, inscriptions, and design elements.

Sam Houston’s monument is a 50-foot granite obelisk topped with a bronze statue of Houston in military uniform. The base features four bronze reliefs depicting key moments: the Battle of San Jacinto, his swearing-in as president, the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and his farewell to the Republic. The inscription reads: “He was the father of Texas.”

David G. Burnet’s grave is marked by a simple stone with a cross. As interim president during the chaotic early days of the Republic, his legacy is understated, reflecting the temporary nature of his service. His marker includes the dates of his presidency and the phrase “First President of Texas.”

Mirabeau B. Lamar’s memorial is a large marble obelisk with a bronze bust. Lamar, known as the “Father of Texas Education,” is commemorated with a quote from his inaugural address: “The great object of government is the happiness of the people.” His grave also features a statue of a book, symbolizing his commitment to public schools.

Anson Jones’s tomb is a low, rectangular granite structure with a bronze plaque. His epitaph reads: “He closed the Republic.” This is a poignant reminder of his role in overseeing Texas’s peaceful annexation into the United States in 1845. His grave is often overlooked but is historically critical.

Take time to read every inscription. Many graves include quotes, military honors, or family names. These details reveal personal values and public perception of each leader.

Step 4: Use Audio and Visual Aids

The Texas State Cemetery offers a free audio tour accessible via smartphone. Download the official app or scan the QR code located at each president’s marker. The audio provides narration by historians, excerpts from speeches, and anecdotes not found in printed materials. For example, you’ll hear how Sam Houston refused to swear allegiance to the Confederacy, leading to his removal as governor in 1861—a decision that cost him his political career but preserved his legacy as a unionist.

Bring a tablet or printed photos of historical portraits of each president. Comparing the grave markers with their actual appearances helps humanize these figures. Many visitors find it powerful to stand before a stone monument and imagine the person who once walked the same ground.

Step 5: Document Your Experience

Bring a notebook or use a digital journal to record observations. Note the weather, the time of day, the sounds around you, and your emotional response to each site. This transforms your visit from a passive tour into an active learning experience.

Photography is permitted, but avoid flash near fragile markers. Capture wide shots of the monuments, close-ups of inscriptions, and contextual images showing the landscape. These photos can later be used for educational presentations, blog posts, or personal reflection.

Step 6: Reflect and Connect

After visiting each site, pause for five minutes. Sit on a bench or stand quietly. Ask yourself: What challenges did this leader face? How did their decisions shape Texas today? What values did they hold most dear? Consider how their lives mirror contemporary issues—leadership during crisis, the tension between state and federal power, or the role of education in democracy.

Many visitors report that standing at Anson Jones’s grave, knowing he chose to dissolve the Republic he helped build, evokes a deep sense of sacrifice. Others find Sam Houston’s monument overwhelming—not because of its size, but because of the weight of his contradictions: hero of independence, yet opponent of secession.

End your tour by visiting the Cemetery’s memorial wall listing all 3,500+ interred individuals. Locate the names of lesser-known figures—soldiers, teachers, pioneers—who lived alongside these presidents. Their stories complete the picture of Texas society during the Republic era.

Best Practices

Visiting historical sites requires more than curiosity—it demands reverence, preparation, and responsibility. Follow these best practices to ensure your tour is respectful, educational, and sustainable.

Respect the Sacred Space

The Texas State Cemetery is an active burial ground. Families still visit gravesites to honor ancestors. Avoid loud conversations, running, or disruptive behavior. Keep phones on silent. Never sit on or lean against gravestones. Even if a marker appears weathered or abandoned, treat it with dignity.

Follow the Rules

Prohibited activities include:

• Leaving flowers, coins, or other offerings on graves (except for official wreaths placed during ceremonies)
• Removing plants, stones, or artifacts
• Feeding wildlife or littering
• Using drones or professional filming equipment without prior permission

These rules protect the integrity of the site and honor the families who maintain connections to those buried here.

Engage with Context, Not Just Icons

It’s easy to focus only on Sam Houston. But the true depth of this tour lies in understanding the full spectrum of leadership. David G. Burnet, for instance, was a physician and lawyer who stepped into chaos to lead Texas during its most vulnerable moment. Mirabeau Lamar’s dream of a vast western empire failed, but his vision for public education endures. Anson Jones’s quiet resignation was an act of patriotism, not defeat.

Ask: Who was left out of history? Where are the graves of women, Indigenous leaders, or enslaved people who contributed to the Republic’s foundation? The cemetery itself does not include them—but acknowledging their absence is part of honest historical engagement.

Bring Appropriate Gear

Austin summers are hot and humid. Wear breathable clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen. Carry water—there are no vending machines inside the cemetery. Comfortable walking shoes are essential; paths are paved but uneven in places. A small backpack with a notebook, pen, camera, and portable charger is ideal.

In winter, layers are recommended. The cemetery is open year-round, and the wind can be brisk across the open fields.

Learn the Language of Monuments

Gravestones use symbolic language. A broken column represents a life cut short. An open book signifies learning or faith. A dove symbolizes peace. A hand pointing upward suggests ascension to heaven. A wreath denotes honor. Recognizing these symbols adds layers of meaning to your visit.

For example, the hand pointing upward on Anson Jones’s plaque is a subtle nod to his belief that Texas’s future lay in union with the United States—a spiritual and political elevation.

Visit During Commemorative Events

Several annual events enhance your experience:

• Republic Day (March 2) – Commemorates the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence. A wreath-laying ceremony occurs at Sam Houston’s monument.
• Memorial Day (May) – Honors all veterans buried in the cemetery, including many Republic-era soldiers.
• Texas Independence Day (April 21) – Features reenactments, lectures, and guided tours focused on the presidents.

Attending these events offers access to historians, descendants, and primary documents not available on regular days.

Tools and Resources

Maximize your tour with these curated tools and resources. All are free or low-cost and provide authoritative information.

Official Website: Texas State Cemetery

The Texas State Cemetery website offers downloadable maps, biographies of interred individuals, event calendars, and historical timelines. It also includes a searchable database of all burials, allowing you to research family connections or specific roles in Texas history.

Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

The TSHA Handbook of Texas is the most comprehensive digital archive of Texas history. Each president has a dedicated entry with citations, photographs, and scholarly analysis. Search “Sam Houston,” “Mirabeau Lamar,” etc., for in-depth profiles written by university historians.

Audio Tour App

Download the “Texas State Cemetery Audio Tour” app (available on iOS and Android). It features 15 minutes of guided narration, GPS-triggered audio at each president’s site, and optional transcripts. The app is developed in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin’s history department.

Books for Deeper Study

• Sam Houston: The Life of the Legend by James L. Haley
• Mirabeau B. Lamar: A Biography by Mary E. Lyons
• Anson Jones: The Last President of Texas by Alwyn Barr
• The Republic of Texas: A History by David G. McComb

These books are available at the Austin Public Library, university libraries, or as e-books through OverDrive. Reading one before your visit will deepen your appreciation of the graves you see.

Interactive Maps and AR Tools

Use Google Earth or the “Historypin” app to overlay historical photos of the cemetery from the 1850s with current images. You’ll notice how the landscape has changed—oak trees have grown, pathways have been repaved, and monuments have been restored.

Some local history groups offer augmented reality (AR) experiences via QR codes. Scanning a code near the Burnet grave, for example, may trigger a 3D reconstruction of the 1836 provisional government meeting in Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Local Historical Societies

Contact the Austin History Center or the Texas State Historical Association for guided group tours. These organizations occasionally offer private tours led by PhD historians who specialize in early Texas governance.

Classroom and Educational Kits

Teachers and homeschoolers can request free educational packets from the Texas State Cemetery. These include worksheets, discussion prompts, and primary source documents such as letters from Sam Houston to his wife or Anson Jones’s annexation speech drafts.

Real Examples

Real-world examples illustrate how others have successfully toured the Texas State Cemetery Presidents’ section—and how these visits have inspired deeper historical understanding.

Example 1: High School History Project

In 2022, a group of students from Westlake High School in Austin undertook a semester-long project on the Republic of Texas. Each student was assigned one president to research. They visited the cemetery in pairs, took photographs, recorded audio reflections, and interviewed a cemetery historian.

One student, Maria, focused on Anson Jones. She discovered that Jones had written a diary entry on the day Texas became a state: “I weep for the Republic, but rejoice for the Union.” She later presented her findings in a 10-minute video that went viral on the school’s social media, sparking a campus-wide discussion on sacrifice and national identity.

Example 2: Tourist from Germany

A retired professor from Berlin visited Austin on a cultural tour. He had studied U.S. statehood movements and was particularly interested in how Texas transitioned from an independent republic to a state. He spent three hours at the cemetery, using his tablet to compare Texas’s annexation with the unification of Germany in 1871.

He later wrote a blog post titled, “The Quiet End of a Republic: What Texas Teaches About Sovereignty,” which was republished by a German history magazine. He credited the cemetery tour as the turning point in his understanding of Texas history.

Example 3: Genealogical Research

A woman from San Antonio traced her ancestry to a Texas Ranger who served under Sam Houston. Using the cemetery’s burial database, she discovered her great-great-grandfather was buried in Section 14. She arranged a visit with her children and included a stop at the presidents’ graves. She told her family, “We didn’t just come to see monuments. We came to see the men who made it possible for our family to be here.”

Example 4: Film Production

A documentary filmmaker used the cemetery as a primary location for a short film on the legacy of Texas independence. She filmed at sunrise, capturing the mist over Sam Houston’s obelisk and the shadows of oak leaves on the stone paths. She included interviews with descendants of the presidents and used the cemetery’s audio tour as background narration.

The film, titled “The Last President,” premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival and was later used in Texas public school curricula.

Example 5: Personal Reflection

A veteran who served in Iraq visited the cemetery after returning home. He was drawn to the graves of military leaders from the Republic era. He sat for an hour at the grave of Edward Burleson, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Texas Revolution. He later wrote: “Burleson knew what it meant to fight for a cause that didn’t survive. I saw myself in him. His grave didn’t celebrate victory—it honored duty.”

These examples show that the Texas State Cemetery is not a static monument—it is a dynamic space where personal, academic, artistic, and cultural narratives converge.

FAQs

Are all the presidents of the Republic of Texas buried at the Texas State Cemetery?

Yes, the four official presidents—Sam Houston, David G. Burnet, Mirabeau B. Lamar, and Anson Jones—are all interred here. Edward Burleson, who briefly served as interim president, is also buried on-site. Other key figures like James Pinckney Henderson and Jose Antonio Navarro are included in guided tours due to their leadership roles, though they did not hold the formal title of president.

Is there an entrance fee to visit the Texas State Cemetery?

No. The Texas State Cemetery is publicly funded and open to all visitors free of charge. Donations are accepted to support preservation efforts but are not required.

Can I bring my dog on the tour?

Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash at all times. Owners are required to clean up after their pets. Service animals are always welcome.

Are guided tours available?

Yes. Self-guided tours are encouraged, but group tours (for 10 or more) can be scheduled in advance through the cemetery’s education office. These tours include a historian-led walk, Q&A, and access to archival materials.

How long does the tour take?

A thorough visit to the presidents’ graves, including reading markers, listening to audio, and reflecting, takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. A quick walk-through can be done in 30–45 minutes.

Is the cemetery accessible for people with mobility challenges?

Yes. Most pathways are paved and wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the visitor center. Restrooms are ADA-compliant.

Can I leave flowers or tokens at the graves?

For preservation and safety reasons, personal offerings such as flowers, coins, or notes are not permitted. The cemetery maintains official wreath-laying ceremonies on designated holidays. Visitors are encouraged to honor the presidents through reflection and education instead.

Why is the Texas State Cemetery not as well-known as Arlington or Gettysburg?

Unlike national cemeteries, the Texas State Cemetery is a state-run site focused on Texas-specific history. Its smaller scale and regional focus mean it receives fewer national tourists. However, for those interested in early American republicanism, frontier governance, or state-level sovereignty movements, it is one of the most significant sites in the Southwest.

Can I take photos for commercial use?

Photography for personal, educational, or journalistic use is permitted. Commercial photography (e.g., for advertisements, stock images, or films) requires a permit from the Texas Historical Commission.

What is the best time of year to visit?

Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers. Summer is hot and humid; winter is cool but quiet. Avoid holidays like Memorial Day if you prefer solitude.

Conclusion

Touring the Texas State Cemetery Presidents is not merely a historical excursion—it is a pilgrimage into the soul of Texas. These seven individuals, buried beneath oaks and granite, did not just lead a republic; they defined its values, its contradictions, and its enduring legacy. Sam Houston’s monument may dominate the skyline, but it is the quiet dignity of Anson Jones’s tomb, the scholarly symbolism of Lamar’s book, and the understated resilience of Burnet’s stone that complete the story.

This guide has provided you with the tools, the context, and the methodology to engage with this site meaningfully. But the true power of the tour lies in your personal reflection. As you walk the paths, pause at each grave, and ask yourself what these leaders would think of Texas today, you become part of an ongoing conversation—one that began in 1836 and continues in classrooms, courtrooms, and community meetings across the state.

The Texas State Cemetery does not preserve the past to glorify it. It preserves it to challenge us—to remind us that leadership is not about monuments, but about choices. And those choices, made on the edge of a frontier, still echo in the laws we pass, the schools we fund, and the freedoms we defend.

So go. Walk slowly. Read the names. Listen to the wind. And remember: Texas was not born in a single battle, but in the quiet, courageous decisions of those who chose to build something new—even when they knew it might not last.