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Daughters of the American Revolution Tour

This curated collection was presented to the Daughters of the American Revolution Tour Group during their walking tour on 4/18/2026. The artifacts highlight various pieces from the Glenwood Cemetery Archives that vividly illustrate the cemetery's rich history.

1800s Hearse Mule Shoes

1800s Hearse Mule Shoes

Object/Artifact

The artifact consists of a set of heavily oxidized iron mule shoes, mounted on a custom wooden display base. A brass plaque identifies it as "Glenwood Cemetery – Mule Shoe of a Late 1800s Hearse." These mule shoes are believed to have belonged to a draft mule used to pull funeral hearses in Glenwood during the late 19th century. They were discovered during construction work at the cemetery. The curvature and dimensions of the shoes are consistent with typical examples from that era, designed for draft animals that towed heavy carriages and processional vehicles.

1871 Glenwood Rural Cemetery By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of The Houston Cemetery Company

1871 Glenwood Rural Cemetery By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of The Houston Cemetery Company

Archive

This printed booklet outlines the foundational regulations governing Glenwood Cemetery, originally known as the Houston Cemetery Company, which was incorporated on May 12, 1871. It includes rules regarding lot ownership, maintenance, interments, and board operations. The pamphlet is printed in black ink on beige paper and exhibits signs of wear, including tape repairs and torn corners, suggesting its use in administrative settings during the late 19th century. As one of the earliest governing documents of Glenwood, this booklet serves as a historical record of cemetery management practices during the Victorian era, reflecting the broader rural cemetery movement that aimed to integrate landscape design with civic organization. It is considered one of the oldest administrative records in the Glenwood Cemetery Archives.

1871 Original Index of Glenwood Cemetery

1871 Original Index of Glenwood Cemetery

Archive

This handwritten index serves as a reference for administrative purposes at Glenwood Cemetery. Compiled in the late 19th century, the document organizes the names of lot owners and interments in both alphabetical and numerical order. Each entry includes details such as section and lot numbers, names of the owners, and notes regarding transfers or family plots. The ledger illustrates the record-keeping practices within Glenwood's administrative framework, featuring handwritten columns and annotations that suggest frequent use by staff or superintendents to locate gravesites before the establishment of formal ledgers and plat maps. The Index to Glenwood reflects the operational needs of a cemetery in post-Reconstruction Houston. By the 1880s, Glenwood experienced significant growth, making it necessary to maintain accurate burial records for managing lot ownership and family interments. This volume likely originated around the same time as the Board of Directors Minutes Book (1886–1976) and the Bylaws established in 1888, both pivotal components of the foundational documents produced by the Houston Cemetery Company.

1877 Concentric Circle Designs Flag

1877 Concentric Circle Designs Flag

Textile

In September 2023, the flag was found inside a honeybee tree located in Section H-1 of the cemetery. While its authenticity hasn't been confirmed yet, it has been lodged in the tree for quite some time. The flag was located in a beehive during the extraction of honeycombs, following the tree's split and fall the previous autumn. The tree's natural antibacterial and moisture-reducing properties played a crucial role in preserving the flag over the years. The flag exhibits significant deterioration, characterized by frayed edges, discoloration, and a noticeable loss of fabric integrity, resulting from prolonged exposure. It is believed that the flag was placed at the grave of a veteran buried in Glenwood, as several veteran graves are nearby. Notably, the flag features one of the Concentric Circle Designs from 1877, showcasing 38 stars, a design widely popular during the Civil War and into the late 1800s.

1886 Receipt from the Office of Alfred J. Whitaker to A. M. Schwander

1886 Receipt from the Office of Alfred J. Whitaker to A. M. Schwander

Archive

The document features a receipt from Alfred J. Whitaker's office, dated October 21, 1886. The receipt reads: Office of A. Whitaker General Commission Merchant Dealer in Foreign and Domestic Fruits, Vegetables, etc. Nurseryman, Seedsman and Florist. Houston, Texas, October 21, 1886 Rec’d of Mrs. A. M. Schwander, twenty dollars for improvements on 10 x 20 of 148 Sec. C. Glenwood Cemetery A. Whitaker Supt.

1888 Hollingsworth Survey of Glenwood Cemetery

1888 Hollingsworth Survey of Glenwood Cemetery

Archive

This drawing, measuring 13" x 8" and dated January 1888, depicts land located on the north side of the Buffalo Bayou. It is believed to represent specific portions of Lot No. 3 and Lot No. 4 within the Hollingsworth Survey, an important land assessment from that period. The artwork features the Glenwood fence line, which delineates the boundary between Lots 3 and 4. Additionally, a handwritten notation reading "Proetzel" is included, suggesting the involvement or significance of an individual associated with the property.

1904 Boundary Map of Glenwood Cemetery

1904 Boundary Map of Glenwood Cemetery

Archive

This large-format linen boundary map, created by the Houston engineering firm Whitty & Taylor in March 1904, illustrates Glenwood Cemetery and its surrounding landscape. The map outlines Glenwood's official property lines, adjacent roads, and nearby burial grounds, including the Catholic Division and the German Lutheran Cemetery, as well as areas designated as "Forest Mound," "Hillside," and "New Strangers Rest." The detailed inkwork captures topographical features, including Buffalo Bayou, roadways, and elevation contours, providing a view of the cemetery's natural landscape and constructed divisions during the early 20th century. Handwritten annotations indicate section letters and landmarks that correspond with Glenwood's earliest lot maps.

1905 Plat of Section H of Glenwood Cemetery

1905 Plat of Section H of Glenwood Cemetery

Archive

The document contains a plat map dated November 24, 1905, for Section H of Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, Texas. It is certified by John F. Dickson, the President of the Glenwood Board of Trustees. The inscription on the map reads: "This is to certify that the Board of Trustees of Glenwood Cemetery has adopted the following plot of Section H in Glenwood Cemetery, located in the City of Houston Harris County Texas on November 24, 1905. John F. Dickson President of the Board of Trustees." Additionally, there is an inscription indicating that a notary public served as a witness to the certification of this plot.

1907 Original Postcards of Glenwood Cemetery

1907 Original Postcards of Glenwood Cemetery

Postcard

This collection of 1907 photographic postcards provides visual documentation of Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, Texas. The images present key elements of the cemetery's design and landscape, including: - Main Entrance - Allen 1081 - Main Drive Way - Allen 1082 - Park Fronting Washington Avenue with Res of Supt - Allen 1083 - Entrance to Glenwood Cemetery from Park Fronting Washington Ave - Allen 1084 - Looking North from the Office - Allen 1085 - Looking East through Glenwood Cemetery - Allen 1087 - Office of Glenwood Cemetery - Allen 1088 - The Bayou As It Passes Through Glenwood Cemetery - Allen 1089 - In The New Additions - Allen 1089 - A Shady Lane - Allen 1090 - Approach to Glenwood Cemetery from Kane St. Entrance - Allen 1091 - Kate St. Entrance to Glenwood Cemetery - Allen 1092 Each postcard includes printed captions that describe the scenes and prominently feature the name "Allen" in its typography. The cards were never mailed, suggesting they were likely created for local sale, tourism, or promotional purposes.

1910 Entrance to Glenwood Cemetery Postcard

1910 Entrance to Glenwood Cemetery Postcard

Archive

This item features a circa 1910 postcard showcasing the original entrance to Glenwood Cemetery. The postcard serves as a visual record of Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, Texas, highlighting significant aspects of its design and landscape. Notably, the postcard bears the number "12718" at the top. As the cards were never mailed, they were likely produced for local sale, tourism, or promotional purposes.