Historic Broadway Cemetery Complex

Etched In Stone: Galveston’s Broadway Cemeteries Reveal a City’s Layered Past

Marked with plaques and monuments honoring generations past, the Broadway Cemetery Historic District in Galveston stands as a rare urban burial ground rich in history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this complex features historical markers that commemorate veterans from every U.S. war since 1812, early Texas pioneers, scientists, philanthropists, immigrants, and even infamous figures from Galveston’s storied past.

Founded in 1839 with the donation of four city blocks, the cemetery complex has grown to span six blocks and include seven distinct burial grounds—among them Old City, Evergreen, Trinity Episcopal, and the Hebrew Benevolent Society cemeteries. Once located at the edge of the city, it now rests at the heart of Galveston’s historic core.

Following the 1900 hurricane, the cemetery—like much of the island—underwent multiple grade raisings. As a result, many markers were buried or lost, and the grounds now contain up to three layers of graves. Of the thousands buried there, only about 12,000 markers remain visible today.

Throughout the cemetery, Victorian-era mausoleums, headstones, and symbolic sculptures reflect the affluence, grief, and beliefs of generations. Notably, some monuments were crafted by celebrated sculptor Pompeo Coppini. The evolving designs and inscriptions tell a broader story—not only of Galveston—but of shifting American attitudes toward death, memory, and community over nearly two centuries.

The Broadway Cemetery Complex remains one of the few preserved urban cemeteries in Texas, offering a profound, multilayered glimpse into the soul of the island.