Dallas, TX
Noted North Dallas cemetery gets historical landmark designation
DALLAS – A 50-year battle to save a historic Black cemetery in North Dallas has come to an end with descendants of former slaves claiming victory.
The 173-year-old cemetery sits on three acres developers have coveted for over a half-century.
“It’s not easy getting back here to the cemetery itself, but it’s a diamond in the rough,” said Tony Suber, whose family is buried in the cemetery, including his great-great-grandfather Anderson Bonner.
It takes opening several gates and more than a few twists and turns to get to the White Rock Garden of Memories cemetery.
Much like the twists and turns in this graveyard’s storied history.
“They tried to take it from us,” Suber said. “Anderson Bonner is an ex-slave; Henry Keller former slave. I would say George Coit was a former slave … I’m very, very much appreciative of his accomplishments.”
Bonner owned several thousand acres and a school for Black children after freedom from slavery and settling in what would eventually become far North Dallas.
“This whole area was Black-owned,” Suber said. “This whole area was farmland cotton fields.”
Now it’s one of the most densely populated areas in all of North Texas.
The three-acre cemetery where Bonner and other black pioneers are buried is completely encircled by dozens of apartment complexes.
“We also have intruders, unfortunately,” said Suber.
It’s been vandalized over the years and even made inaccessible by developers who wanted the land without protected status for 173 years.
Suber and others have worked for decades to give the final resting place of their ancestor’s dignity in death that they were denied during their lifetimes.
“What they could not do at that time, I’m working on it now,” said Suber.
This week, the city finally designated the cemetery a historical landmark.
“Very excited, it was great news,” Suber said. “I mean it just gave me a chill over my body to know that now going forward in the future, at this place, will forever be here.”
Believe it or not, there was an effort about 50 years ago to bulldoze this cemetery and build apartments.
Fortunately, the descendants of those buried here could stop it in court. They hope this week’s decision will ensure this sacred place is protected forever.
“To see that the cemetery remains here, it stays here and that it will forever be here,” said Suber. “There is a lot of history that is buried in this cemetery.”
Suber says a celebration will be held soon in the Garden of Memories where an important part of the city’s history will be preserved.
More than 100 people gathered Friday night at a high school near the sealed‑off blast zone to honor the victims of the deadly explosion at The Clyde apartments in Oak Cliff.
The vigil – filled with hymns, prayers, and candles – brought together neighbors, local leaders, and pastors, many of whom were personally connected to those who died.
Just down the street, the debris field marks where three people were killed and five others injured when an explosion and fire tore through the complex earlier in the day.
Remembering Sylvia Collins
Among those honored was Sylvia Collins, a Democratic Party precinct chair known for her energy, advocacy, and signature raised‑fist rally pose.
State Rep. Cassandra Garcia‑Hernandez reflected on the loss, saying she couldn’t imagine taking another “fist‑up photo” with Collins.
State Sen. Royce West urged the community to remember Collins by continuing the work she championed.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the other two victims, believed to be a young woman and her toddler.
Search and Recovery Complete, Cause Still Unknown
Dallas Fire‑Rescue Chief Justin Ball confirmed that the search and recovery phase is complete, though he declined to comment on whether construction crews digging near the property may have struck a natural gas line before the blast.
Ball also defended the actions of firefighters who were on scene for up to 10 minutes before the explosion without ordering evacuations. He said crews first had to locate the source of the gas odor, secure a water supply, and gear up before they could begin clearing the building.
Lawsuit Filed Against Atmos Energy
One survivor has already filed a lawsuit against Atmos Energy, accusing the utility of failing to properly monitor for gas leaks. Attorney Sadi Antonmattei‑Goitia said incidents like this “don’t happen without bad decisions being made.”
Atmos did not respond to questions about the lawsuit but issued a statement saying the company’s “hearts go out to the people who were tragically lost, their families, and everyone who has been impacted.”
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A large fire destroyed an apartment complex in Dallas after crews responded to reports of a gas leak. Authorities say at least three people, including a child, were killed. Other residents are unaccounted for.
Published On 29 May 2026
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