Broadway Cemetery Historic District

The Broadway Cemetery Historic District encompasses seven separate cemeteries across 15 acres located between Broadway Avenue and Avenue L, from 40th to 43rd Street in Galveston. The grounds contain about 6,000 burials arranged in distinct sections for different religious and community groups, with monuments displaying architectural styles such as Beaux Arts, Neoclassical, and Gothic Revival.

The district was established between 1839 and 1867 in response to nine yellow fever epidemics that struck Galveston and created the need for multiple burial grounds. The founding of individual cemeteries followed the arrival and settlement of different religious communities in the growing city.

The grounds feature monuments and inscriptions in multiple languages, reflecting the diverse communities that built Galveston over time. Walking through different sections reveals how various religious and ethnic groups each maintained their own burial areas.

The site is accessible and located in a walkable area of the city, with various entrances providing access to different sections of the grounds. The flat terrain makes it pleasant to walk through the different areas, particularly during mild weather conditions.

The Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery section holds over 500 burials documenting the Jewish presence in Galveston since the mid-1800s, an often overlooked chapter of the city's past. This distinct area reveals how religious communities maintained separate spaces to preserve their cultural and spiritual traditions.

Location: Galveston County

Address: Six city blocks between Broadway Avenue (north) and Avenue L (south) and 43rd Street (west)

GPS coordinates: 29.29350,-94.81290

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:04