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BENBROOK CEMETERY
The Benbrook Cemetery was established in 1885. Benbrook Cemetery was once known as the Merinda Seminary
Graveyard. Today the Benbrook Cemetery is operated and maintained by the City of Benbrook. The Cemetery is
located on Mercedes Street just west of Winscott Road across from the Benbrook Municipal Building and from
Benbrook Elementary School.
Two cemeteries are actually located within the boundaries that are enclosed by the fence; however, there is not a
formal distinction between the two cemeteries. In 1955, to make way for residential development, the Howard
Cemetery (also known as the Howard Family Graveyard) was relocated from an area in southwest Fort Worth; the area
in Fort Worth is now known as Tanglewood. The new home of the Howard Cemetery was a small strip of land adjoining
the eastern edge of the Benbrook Cemetery. Outside of the fence that surrounds the Benbrook Cemetery, there are no
signs that identify the cemetery as Benbrook Cemetery. There is, however, a sign for Howard Cemetery beside the
gate that enters the corner of the complex.
In 1949, the Corps of Engineers relocated graves from five cemeteries to the Merinda Seminary Graveyard to clear the
way for the construction of Benbrook Lake. The five cemeteries that were relocated were: Day, Hunter, January,
Muhlinghause, and Mustang. Two other cemeteries were considered for relocation: the Maples Grave and Gilliand
Cemetery. The Maples Grave Cemetery was not found and the Gilliand Cemetery was determined to be above the
maximum flood line and therefore could not be moved.
In the summer of 2013, three Girl Scouts completed a community project that provided a kiosk and better lot markings
for gravesites in the Benbrook Cemetery.
Additional information regarding the Benbrook Cemetery is available on the City’s website at www.benbrook-tx.gov.
The City’s website provides links for the Corps of Engineers website and for the cemeteries referenced.
CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
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