Evergreen Cemetery (formerly Swedish Cemetery) is listed in a book of Harris County cemeteries as a country cemetery. It states the cemetery is still in use. Both facts are true. In 1899, Rudolph C.J. Kenning gave permission for two families to bury a member of their family on the property. The first person to be buried was a young daughter of the Petersons. Her grave is unknown, but could possibly be the unreadable concrete marker next to Bothilda Johnson in block 49. Bothilda Johnson was the second person buried in Evergreen in 1899. Bothilda was the oldest sister of Anna Nelson Kenning. Both Rudolph and Anna are buried in Evergreen. Rudolph and Anna were married in 1898. As the need arose other Swedish descendants were buried on the plot of land.

On July 2, 1917, the Swedish Cemetery was established and trustees elected. C.A. Lindstrom, C.A. Gustafson, Jr. and R.C.J. Kenning served as the first trustees. In 1920 R.C.J. Kenning conveyed to the three original trustees, a two-acre tract of land to be used as a cemetery and thus the cemetery was incorporated. In April 1920, D.A. Reidland was elected to serve as a trustee replacing Lindstrom. The name was changed to Evergreen Cemetery.

On February 4, 1918 the association voted to make all who have been active in developing the cemetery charter members. They are:

L. Nelson
J.M. Nelson
C.A. Lindstrom
C.A. Gustafson
H.Y. Wahl
Mrs. A. Reidland
O.A. Reidland
R.C.J. Kenning

Evergreen Cemetery Trustees are as follows:
R.C.J. Kenning
D.A. Reidland
C.A.Gustafson, Jr.
C.A. Lindstrom
O.J. Nelson
C.A. Swanson
Tommy Denson
Madeline Ramsey
Horace Cook
O.C. (Cutler) Nelson
Edwin Swanson
Richard Rook
Donna Swanson Davenport

In 1974, Lucille Kenning Hare deeded to the then trustees, Tommy Denson, Cutler Nelson and Madeline Anderson Ramsey, an additional tract of three acres of land for use. Through the years, the cemetery has been cared for by family and friends of loved ones buried there.

In 1995, Tommy Denson, Edwin Swanson and Bernice Reidland Havard started a drive to raise enough money, through donations, to purchase a CD (certificate of deposit), and now the interest covers the maintenance of this historic cemetery.

In 1996, a fund raiser was held to finance a memorial ornamental iron fence of the front portion of the cemetery along Sralla Road. A ten foot span sold for $150. A plaque is on each section purchased with the names of those remembered.

In 1998, a fund raiser was held to construct a road around the perimeter of the cemetery in order to have better parking for funerals. By April 1999, the road was completed for the cost of $2,500.00

In 2008, Evergreen Cemetery declared a Historic Texas Cemetery by the Texas Historical Commission. November 22, 2008 a dedication ceremony was held at the cemetery.

Compile by Donna Swanson Davenport
November 2008
Information obtained from original minutes of the association and from information obtained from the Nelson/Reidland News, Summer 1996

Permission given by Donna Swanson Davenport to post this here. September 2022