Thanks to the generous contributions of members and friends of BCCA, many significant improvements have been made to the cemetery grounds during the past few years. These include installation of an irrigation system, enlargement of the parking area, a new storage shed, a fenced and covered storage area, and additional improvements to the road and drainage system. Steps have been taken to improve the general appearance of the south end of the cemetery, as well as the parking lots. A bridge, donated by the Y.T.L. Landscape Company of Grapevine, crosses the creek and connects to "Baby Land," an area set aside for infant burials.
For several years we made plans and saved toward having a country style fence and gates installed across the front of the cemetery. We contracted Williams Welding of Southlake, Texas, to build a wrought iron fence similar to those that existed in Texas in the middle of the 19th century. Thanks to a crew of dedicated volunteers and maintenance workers, installation has been completed. We're sure you will agree that the fence enhances the cemetery grounds, in addition to increasing security. Construction of a wooden fence on the north side of the cemetery completed fencing projects planned for the interior of the cemetery.
Lights have been installed in the parking area and, thanks to the generosity of our good friends at DFW Airport, the cemetery now has underground electric lines. After completion of this project, the utility poles on the cemetery grounds were removed.
The cemetery now features three new cremation areas: The Rose Garden, The Cedar Garden, and The Rock Garden. These gardens are designed to use space that is unsuitable for full burials.
Installation of an automatically controlled electronic gate at the entry way off Highway 360 was completed in 2009. The City of Euless resurfaced the road after construction was completed. Susan expressed appreciation "for the tremendous support we continue to receive from The City of Euless."
Additional improvements include a new roof over the seating area, extension of the concrete flooring, eight antique pews, more guttering and a sound system.
Walking through the Bear Creek Cemetery gate is like opening a window of history. The cemetery is the final resting place for many early Tarrant County pioneers. Many of them were Peters Colonists, as were Isham Crowley and his sons, Benjamin and Richard. The Crowleys obtained patents to adjoining properties and the area became known as the "Crowley Prairie." In 1853, as Major Ripley Arnold was vacating the camp known as Fort Worth, a small group of Baptists formed a church located near Bear Creek, the present location of the cemetery. Isham Crowley donated some of his land for this church and cemetery.
