"The oldest federal military cemetery in Texas, Old Bayview was laid out by U.S. Army Engineers while Brig. Gen. Zachary Taylor was encamped in Corpus Christi on the eve of the Mexican War. On September 13, 1845, the steamer "Dayton," used to transfer men from St. Joseph's Island to Corpus Christi, burst a boiler near McGloin's Bluff (Old Ingleside), killing seven soldiers. Taylor obtained a burial site from H. L. Kinney, founder of Corpus Christi. Col. Hitchcock, who served under Taylor, wrote: 'On September 14, a military funeral took place at the burial ground which I selected. It is on the brow of the hill northwest of camp, and commands a view of the Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays. It is a beautiful spot.'
"After Taylor's army left Corpus Christi in 1846, the cemetery became the community burial ground. Here are graves of pioneer settlers, and of veterans of the war of 1812, Texas War for Independence, Mexican War, Indian campaigns, Civil War, and other conflicts."
So reads a brochure for an event put on today at the cemetery by The Friends of Old Bayview Cemetery Association & The Nueces County Historical Commission.
It was held from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. today, and I went with my wife and daughter. There were people in period costumes talking about the history of the cemetery. Here are a few pics:
From the back side of the cemetery, you can see the Harbor Bridge:
My wife ran a half-marathon over that bridge last week [see the Guardians of the Lambsfoot thread].
Here's the "old courthouse" in the distance:
I still refer the the replacement as the "new courthouse," even though it's been around over 40 years. The old courthouse was there when the 1919 hurricane hit, killing hundreds. My grandmother was a child of 13 at the time.
I may have a relative there. I went to the public library and found a listing of the graves at the cemetery, and there was a "Mrs. Wilmot" buried there in 1908. No first name was given, or date of birth, but there are not that many Wilmots here. It is my mother's maiden name, so it may be one of my great-grandmothers. Will have to do some research.
Here's the "Old Concrete Street Amphitheater", where people like Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana have performed:
My wife and I saw Sheryl Crow there in 2006.
Anyway, it was an interesting visit. I did not take my knife out, but I was carrying this one:
(By the way, if you don't have your V-cutter handy, the Opinel will do just fine):
It's been a good day.