In the early 1880s settlers began moving to the High Plains of West Texas. By 1888, the population had grown sufficiently to justify the organization of a governing unit. So July 5,1888 Hale County joined the growing list of Texas counties.

     Among the early settlers was George W. Baker, who purchased land, adjoining the settlement of Epworth (which later became Hale Center) on the north. At the election of officers for the new county, he was chosen as one of the commissioners.

     With the coming of people, death also came. Tragedy struck first in the Baker family, when a daughter, Alice Montgomery gave birth to the first twins in Hale County, On December 14, 1888. Since no medical assistance was available, complications developed which caused her death ten days later.

For a burial site, the Bakers selected the highest point of land - a hill on the north side of their section, overlooking a large lake. Here Alice was buried on December 24. 1888.

     Since the growing community would need a graveyard, George W. Baker set aside five acres of land, on which Alice was buried, for a permanent burial ground.

     Fifty years after the first burial, foresighted citizens of the community saw the need of enlarging the cemetery grounds. They assembled and reorganized the Hale Center Cemetery Association. On April 25,1938. An additional ten acres of land was purchased. On July 12, 1938, The Secretary of State Approved a Charter for the cemetery association.

     The original five acres now known as the Old Cemetery is divided into Three Divisions. The second purchase of  ten acres known as the New Cemetery is divided into Ten Divisions. 

     The Hale Center Cemetery is located one mile west of Hale Center, TX on Hwy FM1914 then north one mile on paved county road.

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