Spring 2024 UPDATE:

Recently, the San Jose I cemetery on Montopolis Dr. has been receiving an increase in attention, much of it because of social media. The spectacular Texas bluebonnets currently on display in the cemetery has brought out photographers, both professional and amateur. The San Jose Montopolis Cemetery Association welcomes this seasonal attention.

However we need to underscore the significance of the fragility of the cemetery - which is over 100 years old. Open community access to the cemetery is very important, essential and no one wishes to restrict anyone from visiting. However, it is also incredibly vulnerable to disruption, damage and desecration, both from casual visitors, as well as the neighborhood itself. The care takers of the cemetery, the San Jose MCA is in the process of re-establishing areas in the cemetery where either fencing has been trampled on, removed or cut back in order to serve as a neighborhood shortcut for bikes, scooters and pedestrian traffic. Some community members have also used the cemetery as a dog park without cleaning up after their pet. This kind of activity must stop. It could be assumed that this should go without saying, but behavior like this over time can be normalized and with the cemetery as easily accessible as it has been, it seems to also be an open invitation for all sorts of damage to be done.

Unfortunately, for many decades these violations have been happening to the cemetery with no one caring to stop such behavior. It is understood that any changes that happen may inconvenience a handful of people, but to be honest, the health of the cemetery is much more important. Many of the grave markers and gravestones are fragile and easily damaged. And in the past, damage has happened. In fact, many markers have been lost because of that very reason. Also, some of the grave stones are so small, it would be easy for someone who wants a souvenir to take one. And yes, that happens in old cemeteries, as unimaginable as that is. In any case, once a marker is gone, the person buried there loses their name and is lost forever. Would anyone want this to happen to their ancestor? And surviving family members of that person also deserve to be treated better.

Over this year, fencing will be secured around the entire cemetery, including the front facing side on Montopolis Dr. A gate will be established under the arch facing east. We would prefer those entering the cemetery, do so with respect and awareness of how important this Texas state historically designated cemetery is to the community and the city in which we all live.

Cemeteries across east Austin are unfortunately damaged due to vandalism. Fortunately, San Jose cemetery has not yet fallen victim to that crime. Either way, there is a need to control access to the cemetery so any potential abuse is made more difficult. This cemetery is so important to the community of Montopolis, it needs to be protected for the future

About three years ago, a few community people got together to create an organization to help preserve, protect and raise money for both of the San Jose cemeteries so that they would never fall into neglect again. These community members have relatives buried in the San Jose cemeteries. Because both cemeteries are linked to early Austin history, there is also a need for historic research to be done. San Jose I has many leaders of the Mexican-American community from the 1930s and 1940s buried there. These people played an essential part in representing the community in very segregated times. Everyone who cares about the cemetery is welcome to become more involved, learn more about the history of the cemetery and community events related to the cemetery - including community clean-ups. The association has accumulated a lot of photos, funeral home records, newspaper obituaries, death records and there is a need to document the stories the memories of community elders. The association has developed a relationship with the Austin History Center to hold the collected archives of the cemetery. A website is also being developed and will most likely go live this year. A goal is to make all available information available to anyone who wants to do family of historical research.

Please follow our social media accounts and for any other questions, or if you wish to be further involved, please send an email to: info@sanjosemca.org

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