Booker T Washington Park in Limestone County, Texas

Date: 1898 [unknown]
Location: Limestone, Texas, United States
Surnames/tags: emancipation black_heritage  

Related Space Page: Juneteenth

Booker T. Washington Park is located just west of Mexia, Texas, and is on the shore of Lake Mexia. It was founded in 1898 to serve as grounds for celebrations of Juneteenth.

From the 1968 Texas Historical Marker: ^[1] "Set aside by deed in 1898 as a permanent site for celebrating June 19th-- the anniversary of the 1865 emancipation of slaves in Texas. It was 2.5 miles south of this site that slaves of this area first heard their freedom announced. Limestone County in the 1860's-- era of initial celebrations here--had many able Negro leaders. It sent to the Texas constitutional convention of 1866 one of its Negro citizens, Ralph Long. From among people who lived in this locality at the time of emancipation came Negro legislators Giles Cotton, Dave Medlock and Sheppard Mullins. Even before land was dedicated for the park here, this was site of annual celebration on June 19th. For many years the honorable Ralph Long was the featured orator, speaking at times from bed of a wagon parked in the shade. As many as 20,000 often gathered for the occasion. On July 7, 1912, the 19th of June Organization was chartered, to administer the park and perpetuate regional history...."

Sources

1. ↑ Texas Historical Commission. Details for Booker T. Washington Park (Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5293000452). Accessed 18 Jun 2021. Live Link and Archived Link

See also:

• Photos at: https://visitlimestonecountytx.com/booker-t-washington-park/ Archived Link
• https://www.lcjuneteenthorganization.org/
• https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/comanche-crossing-lake-mexia-teen-drownings-juneteenth/