Types of Historical Markers

Texas Historical Commission (THC) Markers

Texas Historical Commission Markers are by far the largest number of markers in the County and are found throughout the rural areas as well as in towns and cities. THC has three different types of markers:

Subject Markers are educational in nature and reveal aspects of local history that are important to a community or region. They honor topics such as church congregations, schools, communities, businesses, events and individuals.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) Markers are awarded to structures deemed worthy of preservation for their historical associations and architectural significance. The RTHL is a legal designation and comes with a measure of protection. It is the highest honor the state can bestow on a historic structure.
Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) Markers are only for burial grounds previously approved for HTC Designation. These markers recognize the historical significance of a cemetery. Until just a few years ago, cemetery markers were listed as subject markers and did not require the HTC Designation.

Historic Texas Cemeteries

Denton County has 165 cemeteries. All of the 20 cemeteries listed below have received the Texas Historical Commission Historic Texas Cemetery Designation. This designation records the cemetery in the deed records at the Denton County Clerk’s office. A number of the cemeteries will have a Texas Historical Commission Historic Texas Cemetery marker or medallion. Also, a number of the cemeteries will have a Texas Historical Commission Subject marker.

The Historic Texas Cemetery Designation is a requirement for eligibility and must be obtained before a Historic Texas Cemetery application may be submitted to the Texas Historical Commission. HTC Designated cemeteries are not required to obtain a HTC marker.

Marked Cemeteries

The HTC Designation program began in the late 1990s. Cemetery markers prior to that time were Subject markers. Cemeteries with Historic Texas Cemetery Marker or a HTC Medallion attached to a THC Subject Marker. All have received HTC Designation. Information on these cemeteries may be found in the section on Historical Markers:

Belew Cemetery, Aubrey
Bolivar Cemetery, Bolivar
Chinn’s Chapel Cemetery, Copper Canyon
Cooper Creek Cemetery, Denton
Corinth Shiloh Cemetery, Corinth
Flower Mound Cemetery, Flower Mound
IOOF, Denton
Oakwood Cemetery, Denton
Old Alton Cemetery, Denton
Plainview Cemetery, Denton
Ritter Cemetery, Lewisville
Skinner Cemetery, Pilot Point
Taylor Family Cemetery, Oak Point

Cemeteries with Historic Texas Cemetery Designation and no markers:

Cassady Cemetery, Little Elm Area
Clark Cemetery, Little Elm Area
Dunham Cemetery, Roanoke and Argyle Area
Fox Hembry Cemetery, Lewisville
Harrington Cemetery, Little Elm Area
Jeter Cemetery, Bartonville
Kelsay Cemetery, Roanoke
Sams-Burnett-Mennerly Cemetery, Drop
Wolf- Foster Cemetery, Roanoke Area

Centennial Markers

Centennial Markers are the earliest and oldest of Denton County historical markers. The State erected 1,100 markers in 1936. They were placed throughout the state to commemorate the 100th birthday of Texas independence from Mexico. Sponsored by the Texas Legislature, they help tell the real stories of Texas heroes and key moments in our state’s history.

Denton County Centennial Markers

Denton County
John B. Denton
John Simpson Chisum Homesite
Old Alton Memorial
Pioneer Woman

Sesquicentennial Markers

In 1986 Texas Historical Commission subject markers were listed as Sesquicentennial Markers in celebration of the 150th birthday of Texas. Denton County Sesquicentennial Markers:

Bridges Cemetery
Good Hope Cemetery
Old Hall Cemetery

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is a federal program administered by THC in coordination with the National Park Service. Listing in the National Register provides national recognition of a property’s historical or architectural significance and denotes that it is worthy of preservation. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Denton County:

Central Roanoke Historic District, Date listed: May 29, 2008
Cranston Site, Address Restricted, Denton, Date listed: August 12, 2082
Denton County Courthouse, Public Square, Denton, Date listed: December 20, 1977
- Has National Register Medallion and Plaque
Johnson Farm, Johnson Branch Park, Lake Ray Roberts, Date listed: November 17, 1994
Jones Farm, Johnson Branch Park, Lake Ray Roberts, Sanger, Date listed: December 7, 1994
Lambert, J.C., Site, Address Restricted, Denton, Date listed: August 21, 2082
Old Alton Bridge, Copper Canyon Road, Copper Canyon. Date listed: July 8, 2088
- Has National Register Medallion and Plaque
Pilot Point Downtown Historic District, Date listed: August 30, 2007
Old Continental State Bank, 312 Oak Street, Roanoke, Date listed: July 22, 2086
- Has National Register Medallion and Plaque
Roark-Griffith Site, Address Restricted, Denton, Date listed: July 22, 2086
Serren, A.H., Site, Address Restricted, Denton, Date listed: August 21, 2082
Wilson-Donaldson Site, Address Restricted, Denton, Date listed: August 21, 2082
Denton Courthouse Square Historic District, Denton County Courthouse on the Square, Denton, Date listed: December 28, 2000
Gregory Road Bridge at Duck Creek Approximately 5 mile West of Lois Road, North Denton County Line, Denton, Date listed: January 14, 2004 (delisted November 2011; new application to be submitted)
Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek, Approximately 2.5 SE of Sanger, Date listed: January 14, 2004. Moved to Guyer High School, 7501 Teasley Lane, Denton, now listed as Rector Road Bridge at Guyer High School.
- Has National Register Medallion and Plaque

Denton County Historical Commission Markers

Denton County Historical Commission Markers are the newest markers in the county. The program preserves local history and recognizes sites, individuals, events, significant architecture, etc. which may or may not be eligible for state recognition, but are of specific interest to the history of Denton County.