Fort Bend County is constructing a groundbreaking ceremony for the Fort Bend County African American Memorial, a project to recognize and restore human dignity to the region’s African American community.
The discovery of 95 unmarked graves at a Fort Bend ISD property during construction in 2018 catalyzed this initiative. These people were dubbed the Sugar Land 95 because they were thought to be victims of Texas’ cruel convict leasing system.
Even more ambitious is the forthcoming African American Memorial project. Two run-down ancient freedmen’s graveyards, the Oak Hill Cemetery and the Newman Chapel Cemetery will be converted into a hallowed place for contemplation and education with the help of a $10 million investment.
The rebuilt site, which takes up 36 acres inside the larger Bates Allen Park, will have reflection areas, walking routes, and interpretive items highlighting Black residents’ rich history in Fort Bend County and beyond.
Fort Bend County, one of three Texas counties with lynching records, has a significant African-American history, including slavery, convict leasing, freedmen’s towns, and first-ever Black officials. Newman Chapel and Oak Hill Cemetery are historical burial sites.
“Sadly, this site where we stand – this sacred, hallowed ground – is not reflective of the stature befitting of those buried here and the rich story they are part of,” said Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy during a press conference last year for the announcement of the $4 Million Initial Investment into Landmark African-American Memorial. “Many of their tombstones have been forever lost, and so now it is our responsibility to pay due homage.”
“The memorial will not only acknowledge the struggles of the past but also celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans who helped shape our county,” said McCoy.
The project boasts a symbolic design. Two central axes, one pointing towards Africa, the ancestral homeland, and the other towards Sugar Land, the resting place of the Sugar Land 95, serve as a great reminder of the historical journey. Phase 1 construction will see the creation of several key elements, including:
- Juneteenth Freedom Plaza : A dedicated space to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday, which marks the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.
- Convict Labor and Leasing Memorial : A dedicated area featuring 95 trees, each representing a victim of the Sugar Land 95 tragedy.
- Fragmented Walkway : A symbolic pathway reflecting the fragmented nature of Black history due to a lack of documentation and preservation efforts.
- Three-story Monument : A towering structure honoring the “African American giants” who have shaped history.