Capital Lodge #23

Austin, Texas

Bethany Cemetery Projects

Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Keeping Austin odd since 1852

Bethany Cemetery is on Springdale Road in East Austin, just across the street from Sims Elementary School. It was one of the first African American cemeteries in Austin, with many graves of men and women born into slavery, as well as many veterans.

It is an abandoned or  "orphaned" cemetery.  It was a private cemetery that no longer has a functioning owner or manager. It is wholly tended by volunteers, including the Travis County Sheriff's Office and the Odd Fellows Capital Lodge #23.

More of its history may be found here: http://www.gentrysmith.org/Black%20mortuaries/Cemeteries.htm