The history of Rose Hill Cemetery dates back to October 1890, just three months after Swisher County was organized and Tulia was named county seat.
The first recorded burial in the cemetery is that of 18-year-old Louis H. Harral, who died on Oct. 17, 1890. His parents, L.J. and N.J. Harral, received permission from landowner, T.W. Adams to bury their son on this hillside south of the Middle Tule Creek.
Twelve days later, 4-year-old Robert Alonzo Hutchinson, son of W.B. and Virginia Hutchinson died and was buried on the hill near Louis H Harral. In 1906 five acres of land surrounding the graves were officially set aside for a community cemetery.
Tulia Cemetery Association was formed in 1916 under the leadership of Lula B. Tomlinson, who named the cemetery, “Rose Hill”. Mrs. Tomlinson said ‘We have the hill, some day we will have the roses.” The association was officially chartered by the State of Texas in 1937.
The first recorded burial in the cemetery is that of 18-year-old Louis H. Harral, who died on Oct. 17, 1890.
In recent years several improvements have been made at Rose Hill; some of the improvements include the new office building, underground sprinkler system, road upgrades, portable chapel, additional acreage and roses.
All of these improvements have been possible because of the generous grants, special gifts and donations from the Swisher County residents and friends of Rose Hill Cemetery over the years.
Rosehill Cemetery is operated as a Perpetual Care Cemetery which means to keep the sod in repair in all places where interments have been made. This includes weed-eating and mowing of the grave sites. As such the RESTRICTIONS are as follows: No curbing, grave covers, rock/gravel, or fences are allowed. Flowers and lights are allowed only where they do not interfere with grounds maintenance. Benches may be places at the foot of grave sites as long as they do not interfere with other headstones.
The Board hears many favorable comments about the Cemetery. We are all very proud to have such a beautiful cemetery in our community. The Board is always open to positive suggestions from the community.
Tulia Cemetery Association Board Members include: Frank Reeves, President; Ka Wilfong, Vice President; Randy Singer, Treasurer; Cindy Hurt, Secretary. Other members of the board are: Chick Childress, Dale O’Daniel, Richard Chapman, Cindy Hurt, Millie Otwell, and Mikeal Barnes. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.
If you do not see your loved one on our Search Records page, please reach out to us through our Contact Us page.
Correspondence and donations may be mailed to:
Tulia Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 116, Tulia, TX 79088.
The phone number is (806) 995-2275.
