Tarleton State University is collaborating with the City of Stephenville and the Mount Olive Cemetery Committee to continue the work of preserving and recording the history of Mount Olive Cemetery, Stephenville’s African American burial grounds.  

Mount Olive Cemetery, located in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas was established over 100 years ago and is the final resting place for over 250 known African-American graves and an estimated 90 unmarked graves. 

The Mount Olive Cemetery project also included a service-learning day, where approximately 50 student-athletes spent the afternoon cleaning and caring for headstones. Mayor Doug Svien graciously provided city water trucks to help in those cleaning efforts. Watch the video highlights from the event here.

Project Goals 

• Identify unknown graves.  
  • COMPLETED: In April 2022, the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS) used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to delineate marked and unmarked graves within the cemetery. Approximately 90 unmarked graves were detected.  
• Install grave markers for unknown graves as identified by Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). 
  • IN PROCESS: A vendor has been secured and production will take place during Fall 2023. 
• Create a grid that serves as a guide for those interred at Mount Olive Cemetery. 
• Develop a system to identify available spaces for future burials.