Temple, Bell County
Thomas Lancaster (1813-1867), a farmer and rancher who came to Bell County in 1851, set aside a plot of land on the west side of Little Elm Creek for a community burial ground. Although some burials took place here before Lancaster's death in 1867, his is the oldest marked grave. There are a number of unmarked graves, as well as over 175 documented ones. A cemetery association, formed in 1977, maintains the historic graveyard. In addition to fencing the property, the organizations has improved roads on the site and erected a sign at the entrance. (1987)