Tucked just off Estate Lane, there's a small, three acre tract of land with lots of history to share.

Known as the McCree Cemetery, it offers a snapshot of the history of Lake Highlands.

Wondering about the details, and exactly what's known about the cemetery, we visited with Robin Moss Norcross, LH history buff and member of the Landmark Commission for the city.

As a commissioner, Norcross has a keen interest in the preservation of Lake Highlands history, art and architecture.

She began by posing a question.

"A bit of trivia," she quipped. "How many state historical markers are there in Lake Highlands and where are they?"

I knew of one, but more on that a bit later.

"The answer is two," she said.

"The first marker was installed and dedicated on April 6, 1986 at McCree Cemetery."

The small cemetery is behind the phone building, just south of Audelia and Estate Lane.

Many residents might not even be aware of this interesting piece of history right here in our neighborhood.

"According to the research, the first land for the cemetery was granted by Mahulda Bonner McCree in 1866," said Norcross.

"The historical marker states that at least two burials, for John Henry Jones (d. 1862) and Elizabeth McCullough (d.1864), occurred before the graveyard was formally deeded."

The cemetery grew throughout the years and now covers over three acres.

"It contains the graves of colonists and war veterans and may well be the first integrated cemetery," she said.

"Many of the early founders of Little Egypt, a community near what is now Ferndale and Northwest Highway founded by freed slaves following the Civil War, are buried on the western side of the graveyard."

"Those interred include Ephram and Amanda Floyd, Jeff Hill [whose tombstone notes his World War I service] and many from the Drake family."

"The McCree Cemetery is wonderful record of the earliest residents of the place that we now call Lake Highlands."

And what about that second historical marker?

Watch for details coming soon in a second interview with Norcross.

---

McCree Cemetery is located at 9900 Audelia Road in Lake Highlands.

To learn more about the cemetery, preservation efforts and ways to volunteer, contact Robin Moss Norcross at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Robin leads the Lake Highlands Historical Association and is a member of the City of Dallas Landmark Commission.