Our Story | Schertz - Cibolo Cemetery

CEMETERY STORY

The origin of this cemetery stems from the coming together of two waves of immigration, one from Germany and the other from Mexico. They came

together to this part of Texas with the idea of fulfilling the same dream; to chart their own course in improving their lives and those of their families. The first immigration wave came from Germany in the mid 1800’s. Brothers Ferdinand and August Dietz initially bought 500 acres out of the Genobeva Malpaz Survey (Texas land grant) which is now the Lone Oak Subdivision. A farmstead is created by clearing the land and supports the family’s needs. The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio railroad line also is established in the 1870’s which connects San Antonio to Austin with stops in Schertz, Cibolo and Marion and passes over the northern section of the Dietz’ farm. The railroad spurs other farms to be created and the advent of the cotton gin also makes it easier to process more cotton. Soon, cotton and corn are the predominant and profitable staples and, if the farms are to expand, a reliable labor force is needed.

The second immigration wave begins in the late 1800s, this time from Mexico. With political unrest at home and work available in Texas,

Mexican families now work hand in hand with the German families and the rural communities of Schertz and Cibolo begin to grow and prosper. Among the first families that come to work on the Dietz’ farm and settle in the community are the Arizpe, Del Toro and Bermea families. Records show these families came from the small town of Rosales, (now Villa Union), Coahuila, Mexico and very likely knew each other. The arrival of more farmworkers and families stimulated local businesses such as mercantile, banking and jobs supporting the farm including blacksmithing.

Oral history tells us that upon the death of a female child of one of the farmworker families, there was not a proper burial place for her. There were no community or Catholic church cemeteries in the area at the time. Most people are buried on private family farmsteads. Mr. Dietz (Ferdinand), took it upon himself to mark off an area of his farm for a burial ground located near the creek and under the oak trees. Because of this gesture, Mr. Dietz was respectfully remembered as “buena gente” or “a good man”. A Dietz’ family land deed from 1908 expressly sets aside this one acre parcel of land for a cemetery with instructions it never be sold. The farmworkers now had a place to bury their loved ones and burials have continued to the present day. The oak trees, which are now over 200 years old, served as the congregation point for the workers to rest from their labors and to have lunch. It is fitting these early laborers now rest in peace under these same

trees.

The orientation of the tombstones in this cemetery is in a traditional east-facing direction conforming with Christian beliefs. The northeast section

was initially set aside as the burial site for infants and babies. The earliest legible tombstone is that of Tomas Arizpe who died in 1925 at the age of 15 due to a ruptured appendix . He was the son of Tomas and Juana Arizpe, one of the first arriving Mexican families. There is evidence of earlier burials, however, time has overtaken these grave markers and their identities are presently unknown. Many of the early tombstones were made of concrete and some appear to

have been hand-made and hand-etched and some include tile inlay. You will also find some gravesites from the 1920’s decorated with seashells. The use

of seashells as a decoration has different meanings around the world. One is that it represents an ancient Christian symbol referring to religious

pilgrimages and spiritual protection. In very heavy rains, the Cibolo Creek can overflow its banks and the catastrophic flood of 1998 caused damage

to the cemetery and several tombstones were not able to be recovered. All of the original wooden crosses and many ornate grave markers were swept

away. The cemetery association volunteers came together and were able to repair much of the damage and re-set many of the tombstones. Fundraisers, usually dances, were held in the 1970’s and 80’s which helped to bring in needed funds during those years.

Ottomar “Pat” Dietz, grandson to Ferdinand Dietz, deeded the cemetery property over to the Schertz-Cibolo Cemetery Association in 1973 and the Association bought the adjacent two acres from the Dietz family in 1982. Through the decades, this cemetery has been referred by various names including Cibolo Cemetery, Dietz Cemetery, the Spanish or Hispanic Cemetery among other names. However, it is the Schertz-Cibolo Cemetery, a designated Texas Historical Cemetery, and all of the original people buried here were farm workers of Mexican descent.

The descendants of these early farmworkers have become professionals in their respective fields and businesses including becoming officers in all

branches of the US military. They have maintained a strong bond to this cemetery with their volunteerism and, through their efforts, have maintained the honor and respect of this ancestral resting place. The most recent Presidents for the cemetery include Natividad “Tivi” Medina (1934-2014), Guadalupe “Lupe” del Toro (1939-2018) and, presently Miguel Arizpe Vazquez, MD.

1. Deed records of Guadalupe County, Texas, 3/10/1865, approx 508 acres Book I, p 474

2. Immigration records, border crossings, Eagle Pass, Texas

3. Taped conversation, Maria Concepcion Vasquez b. 1937, recalling the story as told to her by her mother growing up on the farm.

4. Deed records of Guadalupe County, Texas, 5/15/1908, deed volume 31, p. 32

5. Tomas Arizpe 3/23/1908 – 11/28/1925, Death certificate, Guadalupe County, Texas,

The Texas Historical Commission has named the Schertz-Cibolo Cemetery as a Texas Historical Cemetery. It is protected by the laws of Texas and will be documented and honored with the placement of a Texas Historical Marker.