Oakwood Cemetery isn't as famous as Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC or Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, or Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. But it is the most celebrated burial plot in Austin, Texas. Located at 1601 Navasota Street, on a hill just east of I-35 overlooking the city, north of the Swedish Hill Historic District and south of Disch-Falk Field, it is the oldest city-owned cemetery in Austin, dating to the 1830s. It covers over 40 acres, including sections historically dedicated to Austin's black, Latino and Jewish populations. Paupers were historically buried in unmarked graves on the south side of the cemetery. It became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1972 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Perhaps the most notable burial is Susanna Dickinson, the lone adult survivor of the Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio on March 6, 1836. She died in 1883. Other notable burials include five Texas governors, a Civil War general, the first African-American City Councilman of Austin, a United States attorney general, the first woman to have her portrait hung in the Senate Chamber of the Texas State Capitol, the lawman who captured the notorious killer John Wesley Hardin and a State Senator who helped to draw up the Texas Constitution of 1845.

I walked in after taking a bus to the Capitol area, and mostly just saw near the main straight road up the middle. There are many dirt roads, and had I more time I think I could have seen more to like. There are graves going back to 1830s and there are some that are moving and tell a story for those truly interested (and maybe informed already) about history. It was hot, not enough trees, no real landscaping, the drought-stricken grass was cut like a hay field. But for what it is worth, this is possibly a good cemetery trip (I only had 30 minutes before my ride) for the serious lover of old cemeteries that have character. It has some character but not much beauty. Best to drive and get out here and there for reconnaissance.

I honestly wish I’d had a full day to commit to this cemetery. It has so much history, and beautiful memorials to see. If you are coming to Austin, please set solid time aside to appreciate this solemn place.

I don’t think this place has a restroom, and if you are looking for something specific, it could take a long time (1-2 hours). It’s beautiful, old, and fairly unkept (weeds, vines, stickers, fire ants). Drivable/accessible. SUSANNA DICKINSON Section 1, lot 363. Located on the southwest end of the old cemetery. Including info because it’s hard to find specifics. Blurry map available online. Bio: Susanna Dickinson was the wife of Captain Almaron Dickinson and was the sole adult Anglo survivor that witnessed the massacre at the Battle of the Alamo. On the morning of March 6, 1836, as the troops of General Antonio López de Santa Anna stormed the mission, Captain Dickinson ran to his wife, reported that all was lost, and expressed hope that she could save herself and their child. Although he died at the Alamo, his wife and child Angelina survived. Following the fall of the Alamo, Susanna was escorted from the Alamo mission, interviewed by Santa Anna himself and sent by him with a message to Sam Houston. She was a strong woman survivor and remained a patriot of Texas, but the memory of those days would haunt her the rest of her life. Bio by: John J-Cat Griffith.

This lovely little cemetery is tucked behind the Denny’s and the Doubletree and is down a side street off the 35 frontage road. It it full of interesting statues and graves from the 1800’s. It is in need of a bit of repair. The grounds are all flat so it is very easy to walk around. There were no maps to identify prominent people.