PROJECT ONGOING TO RESTORE HISTORIC WASHINGTON CEMETERY

  

The Washington County Historical Commission is taking on a project to revitalize the historic cemetery in Old Washington.

During today’s (Tuesday) county commissioners meeting, Historical Commission Chair Tom Stevens gave details about the commission’s efforts to reclaim and better protect the cemetery, which has fallen into disrepair. 

Stevens said “the jungle’s growing in on it,” as there are downed trees, vaults opened and headstones knocked over.  He called this “one of the most challenging yet one of the most rewarding projects” that the commission has undertaken. 

The cemetery began as the graveyard for the town of Washington when it was part of the Republic of Texas.  Stevens said it is believed that significant historical figures are laid to rest there. 

Stevens said a nonprofit cemetery association has been formed to manage future operations of the cemetery after the commission restores it.  Once it is properly reclaimed, the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site will mow and maintain the property.  The cemetery association is applying for hotel occupancy tax funds to assist in the venture. 

The commissioners court applauded the Historical Commission for taking on the project.  County Judge John Durrenberger said the cemetery has not been cared for in years and thanked the members of the commission for their work thus far.  Commissioner Kirk Hanath called the task “daunting”, but said the right people are involved and that he appreciates the “phenomenal” work they are doing to preserve history in Washington County. 

Commissioners also approved a pair of oil and gas development permits, one for Watt Energy LLC on Sun Oil Road in Precinct 3, and the other for Wildfire Energy Operating LLC on Oevermann Road in Precinct 4.  County Engineer Wesley Stolz explained that these permits are for road use, as the county cannot reject an oil and gas applicant from doing any well service, with the exception of having an agreement in place with the county to be able to use county roads and repair them to pre-existing condition.  He said applicants cannot be rejected or denied service if they meet requirements. 

Hanath further clarified that the permits are not the same as an oil lease and that they only apply to the road use of the right-of-way within the county’s jurisdiction.  He said the county is not proposing the production of these oil and gas leases, but rather is attempting to protect its assets in the roadway.

Also in court, commissioners:

• Received a presentation of the Sexual Assault Response Team’s biennial report for Washington County.
• Authorized the county engineer to seek bids for the 2024 annual bid items: contract mowing, culverts, drive bridge piling, fuel, oil/asphalt/emulsion, road construction materials, tiers and steel products.  Bids will be due to the county on December 13^th at 10 a.m. and will be accepted on December 19^th at 9 a.m., during commissioners court.
• Approved a contract with Scott Ballard for misdemeanor representation of indigent defendants.
• Approved the placement of Crestview Lane (0.438 miles) in the Spring Creek Estates section 3 subdivision in Precinct 2 into the one-year maintenance period and reducing the bond to 50 percent.
• Approved setting the dates and times for commissioners court meetings in 2024.  The second Tuesday of the month is designated as the regular meeting at 9 a.m., and the first, third, fourth and fifth Tuesdays are designated as special meetings at 9 a.m.
• Discussed a formal notice for a water service installation by Corix Utilities in the Palestine Road right-of-way in Precinct 1.