Acton Cemetery

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker at Acton Cemetery tells it: let me bring it to you straight from the inscription. Now, Hood County holds a lot of Texas history, but tucked away out here is something that might just stop you in your tracks; the smallest state park in all of Texas. That's not a boast, that's a fact, and it all centers on this plot of ground known as Acton Cemetery.

Let's start with the name you already recognize. David Crockett, hero of the Alamo, well, he left behind a family. And his widow, Mrs.

Elizabeth P. Crockett, born in 1788, lived on for decades after that famous 1836 battle, finally passing in 1860. She is buried right here.

Two of Crockett's children rest here alongside her. In 1911, the community saw to it that her memory would not go unmarked; a monument and statue were erected in her honor. So when they say this is the smallest state park in Texas, understand what they mean: it is ground that holds the widow of a legend.

Now, the town of Acton itself has a story worth a raised eyebrow. It was originally known as Comanche Peak post office, and in 1855 a man by the name of C.P. Hollis, first merchant in town, gave it the name Acton.

The marker notes, with what I can only call a wry sense of history, that in spite of that early name, Comanche Peak, Acton actually had few Comanche raids. The name turned out to be bigger than the trouble. The pioneers out here wasted no time putting down roots of every kind.

They erected a building to serve as both church and school, and then they selected this very plot as their cemetery. The first person buried here was Mrs. Wash Hutcheson, also in 1855; the same year the town got its name.

Smallest state park in Texas. A widow's grave. A merchant who named a town.

And a community that built a church, a school, and a cemetery all at once, because that's what you do when you're planting something meant to last. This ground has been holding stories since 1855. Looks like it's still got a few more to keep.

What the marker says

Location of Acton historic site, smallest state park in Texas. Includes the grave of Mrs. Elizabeth P. Crockett (1788-1860), widow of the Alamo hero David Crockett, and 2 of his children. In 1911 a monument and statue were erected to her memory. Acton (formerly Comanche Peak post office) was named in 1855 by C.P. Hollis, first merchant in town. In spite of early name, Acton had few Comanche raids. After erecting a building for church and school, area pioneers selected this plot as cemetery. First person buried here was Mrs. Wash Hutcheson, in 1855. (1968)