Fort Worth's historic Pioneers Rest Cemetery is slated for a much-needed facelift, riding on a fresh $30,000 boost from the Texas Historical Commission. The grant, aimed at preserving Fort Worth's venerable resting place for its early movers and shakers, targets two significant relics within the cemetery, reports the City of Fort Worth.
The cemetery's deteriorating entrance gates and the century-old sexton's cottage will undergo critical restoration work. Despite being in various levels of ruin, the city's first public cemetery, and a National Register Historic District to boot, the grant has finessed a chance to spruce up the premises. Repairs are set to fortify the twin granite columns and wrought steel closure gates, giving due respect to the civic landmark.
Continuing its march toward revamping, the grant also dedicates funds for shoring up the sexton's cottage — a structure standing since around 1910, now undermined by relentless water damage and the unchecked advances of vegetation. Work on this structure is paramount to rescue it from its accelerated deterioration.
The successful bid for the grant was orchestrated with assistance from the City's Historic Preservation staff, who nimbly provided their expertise to the Pioneers Rest Cemetery Association through the application and proposal stages. Staff will stand by, offering sage advice throughout the heritage-sensitive restoration process.
In the overall clamor for historical grant funds, which saw 37 applications vying for a cut of $1.6 million back in February last year, the Pioneers Rest Cemetery pitch struck gold last fall. Only 16 proposals succeeded, sharing a pot of $892,403 in commission-approved grants, ensuring Pioneers Rest wasn't laid to rest in the annals of forgotten history.
