The Sugar Land 95 marker is a “subject marker” meant to educate the public and was approved through the state’s Undertold Marker Program, which highlights lesser-known or underrepresented histories, according to the release.
“This historical marker brings visibility to a painful part of Fort Bend County’s past that has long gone unacknowledged,” said Ana Alicia Acosta, vice chair of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, in the release. “It lays a foundation for open dialogue and a deeper understanding of our shared history.
The background
The marker honors the Sugar Land 95—the remains of 95 African American prisoners, dating back to the late 1800s, forced into labor under Texas’s convict leasing system—and recognizes the cemetery’s role in revealing an “often overlooked” part of history, according to the release.
Discovered in 2018 during construction at FBISD’s James Reese Career and Technical Center, the site has since been preserved through community efforts, most notably a partnership with local non-profit Friends of the Sugar Land 95 and FBISD memorialized in September, Community Impact reported.
Marilyn Moore, president of Friends of the Sugar Land 95, said she has been actively involved in the designation process for the cemetery, attending meetings, contributing to the naming discussion and providing early feedback on the marker's wording over the past few years.
Zooming out
Texas operates the largest historical marker program in the country, with about 15,000 markers across the state and an annual review of over 300 applications, according to the release.
To receive a historical marker in Texas, a location must be both historically significant and at least 50 years old to qualify, according to the THC website.
“The official Texas Historical Marker program is one of the most visible ways the THC commemorates Texas history,” Chris Godbold, chair of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, said in the release.
According to the THC website, historical designations serve a number of purposes, including:
- Making owners, in this case FBISD, eligible for for grant funding or tax incentives
- Giving priority access to technical assistance from the THC staff
- Guiding travelers to places of historical interest
- Assist planning of new development
Looking ahead
Ahead of the Juneteenth holiday, the THC, FBISD and Friends of the Sugar Land 95 have partnered to commemorate the dedication of the marker and reflect on the historical significance of the site.
A public ceremony will be held June 19 at 10 a.m. at the James Reese Career and Technical Center, located at 12300 University Blvd., Sugar Land, according to the district website.
Participants can get their free ticket on Eventbrite, district officials confirmed.
