Moss Branch Cemetery

On the border of The Forest at Colorado Crossing and Double Eagle Ranch subdivisions, many are surprised to hear there is cemetery–an old cemetery. It cannot be found on Google maps, probably because access is impossible without trespassing.

I fully admit to having gone through the gate before realizing it was on my neighbors property. I've since been forgiven for that trespass. While there I got the pictures in the gallery below.

Jerry, a property owner adjacent to the cemetery, said they knew about it when they built. "At least they'll be quiet neighbors".

It was hard to find information about the cemetery on the internet. The official name is Moss Branch Collins Ranch. According to findagrave.com there are 23 recorded gravesites.

The oldest year found is 1810, but most are mid to late 1800's. A few in the early 1900's. Findagrave.com has a picture of the woman in a fenced in gravesite, Malinda Ann Summers Wells (1830-1902). The site also shows known descendants.

The site is also found in the Texas Historical Commission's historical site atlas, but not much more than a location and ID number are there.

It is possible some headstones have been defaced or stolen. Brian, the neighbor with gate access to the graves, suspects some headstones have been stolen.

It is unlikely this cemetery gets any visitors, but who knows, maybe there are still great great grand-children in the area. While inquiring for this article, several neighbors asked about a coordinated cleanup of the site, but nothing set on a calendar. It's up to residents to keep it safe and clean now. The Texas Historical Commission has guidelines on cemetery preservation.

If you have any information to share for a follow up story, or would like to volunteer to clean the site up, please reach out. Contact info is on the Old71.us about page.