-Rhoads Cemetery, Wise County

-

     Rhoads cemetery is located northeast of Alvord in one of the LBJ National Grassland areas. You should gain permission from the LBJ National Grasslands Forester, David Weldon at 940-627-5475. Its nearly a mile walk from the road and pretty hard to find in the woods. No motor vehicles allowed without special permission.

    Start north out of Alvord on Fm Rd 1655 and turn right just past the railroad tracts in town on E. Pine Street. Turn left on N. Shankle Street and then right on Beyette. After a few blocks take the left fork (CR 2690).

    The "Grasslands" gate is a couple of miles out CR 2690 on the right. It’s a light green double gate with a walk-through side and a drive-through side. There’s a number 21 on it.

    Walk through the gate and go on the vehicle tracks to the right. Follow this road for about a half of a mile to a tank dam.

    Go across the tank dam but before you get all the way across a trail will fork off to the right. Follow this "cow trail" toward another tank.

    Before you get to this tank the trail will fork to the right. Take this path and if you look straight ahead you will see a grove of tall oak trees. Head for these oak trees.

    Follow the trail toward the oak trees and go into the woods. You will not be able to see the headstones until you are pretty close in the woods. There is a new Historical Marker installed.

    The cemetery is fenced off with wire, and iris plants cover the area so there’s not much brush or weeds around the headstones.  Be prepared as there is a lot of Poison Ivy in the area and inside the cemetery.

    Thank you to Homer Hodges for locating this cemetery and giving such good directions.

This web site was first started by Sue Tackel. Caveman (Dale Ellison) is now attempting to manage this site.

    There were 13 headstones in October 2000. See updated photos below from 2007.

The Historical Marker at Rhoads Cemetery.

There were broken headstones in several locations. that needed repair.

Finding, repairing and leveling the bases are in order first.

John Bennett is leveling this base so the repaired headstone can stand straight up.

The broken headstone is mounted onto the base then drilled for pin placement. This helps support the top of the headstone.

John applies a weatherproof adhesive to the non-corrosive pins and headstone.

Jemima Woodruff's headstone is now back together and ready for clamping until the adhesive sets.

John moves to another headstone that needs to be remounted into its base.

All headstones were repaired and standing for the Historical Marker dedication.

Many, many "thanks" to John for his hard work delaying the effects of "time".