Pioneer Rest Cemetery is located in Menard, Tx. The cemetery is on the West side of Hwy 83, South of the San Saba River. There is a Texas State Historical Marker only a few feet to the left (South) of the view in this photo.
The Pioneer Rest Cemetery is extremely close to the right hand lane of US Hwy 83, and the entry is very narrow; so if you visit the cemetery, please be careful when entering or leaving the cemetery.

Located on the Southside of the San Saba river on Hwy 83, it has been stated that Pioneer Rest Cemetery was started around 1863 when early Menard County pioneer, Adam Bradford, buried his father there on the side of the hill. Designated as a historical site by the State of Texas, it is the final resting place for many of Menard's earliest families and is an integral part of the county's history.

The Pioneer Rest Cemetery Association was organized in 1917 and improvements were made in 1931 when the surrounding rock fence was built using materials from the demolished courthouse.

In walking the cemetery, I discovered graves which are marked by rocks, wood posts, or small stone blocks. If names were ever placed on these "markers", time has long since eradicated it. I would also say that there are probably 70+ unmarked graves. Some are still visible, while many have very little detail.

With Pioneer Rest Cemetery filled to capacity, Menard started the "new" cemetery, Rest Haven, located on the north side of town.