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All the United States Texas Plano Collinsworth Cemetery
AO Edited

Collinsworth Cemetery

This family cemetery is a reminder of a smallpox outbreak in late-19th-century Texas.

Plano, Texas

Added By
Ann Senechal
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Collinsworth Cemetery   AnnSenechal / Atlas Obscura User
Collinsworth Cemetery   AnnSenechal / Atlas Obscura User
The cemetery itself is plotted in between suburban townhomes in a residential neighborhood.   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
An angel statue overlooks the cemetery at its entrance   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
A planted pathway surrounds the small cemetery   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
Albert H. Collinsworth’s weathered headstone   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
Headstones between foliage   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
Gravestone for the Collinsworth Cemetery’s unmarked graves   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
Stone with quote along the cemetery pathway   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
Texas Historical Cemetery plaque   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
View of the Collinsworth Cemetery entrance.   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
Collinsworth Cemetery   AnnSenechal / Atlas Obscura User
Collinsworth Cemetery   AnnSenechal / Atlas Obscura User
View of the Collinsworth Cemetery Gates from within the cemetery   SanJosway / Atlas Obscura User
Collinsworth Cemetery   AnnSenechal / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1895, the Collinsworth family of Plano, Texas hosted a traveling salesman in their home. He left the next morning after mentioning he felt unwell. Unfortunately, the salesman was ill with smallpox and infected the family with the disease. First, one of the daughters fell ill and died, then more family members succumb to the disease. Although medical help was sought early, doctors did not have the knowledge to treat the affliction. 

A cemetery was created on the farm for the deceased family members. When other relatives arrived to pay their respects, more were infected. It's believed that more than 10 family members passed from the disease and were buried in the cemetery.

The city of Plano attempted to prevent the spread of the disease by quarantining an area from Spring Creek Parkway to Park Boulevard, and Preston Road to Coit Road. Plano also passed a resolution stating that all Plano citizens should be vaccinated against smallpox. 

The cemetery was utilized until 1925 and it's believed 30 Collinsworth's family members are buried inside. Many of the stones have disappeared and perhaps are under the accumulated soil. Today, the cemetery is well-tended and peaceful. It also provides a reminder of the city's history and the power of diseases. 

Related Tags

Cemeteries Disease Smallpox History & Culture

Know Before You Go

The original front of the cemetery faces the alley that runs behind the property.  

Community Contributors

Added By

AnnSenechal

Edited By

Scott Terrell, SemiruralYeti, SanJosway

  • Scott Terrell
  • SemiruralYeti
  • SanJosway

Published

November 3, 2020

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Collinsworth Cemetery
Plano, Texas, 75093
United States
33.039812, -96.787059
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