According to census records, in the 1920's the community of Highbank was home to at least 300 Italians, which was more than 10 percent of the population of Poggioreale at the time! There was also at least an equal number of Americans of African descent, who had and still maintain a separate cemetery of their own. Until about 1920, it seems that the Italians buried their dead in Highbank, probably because of the difficulty of travel to Marlin and for financial reasons. After that time, most Italian burials took place in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas. We are currently searching through local archives to determine how many burials occurred in Highbank. County, state and church records for the period before 1930 are very sketchy, and an accurate accounting will probably never be possible. So far, we know that documents exist for the burial of at least 15 individuals at the cemetery, mostly from Poggioreale families. Since the property is two acres, it is probable that there are many others. In recent years, all of the Italians have moved away from Highbank, but many live in surrounding communities. Probably most have no living family members who remember the time when burials took place in Highbank, and the cemetery seems largely forgotten.
Click here for a list of Italian families living in the Highbank area.
Here's a listing of Italian family burials that are documented or believed to have occurred in Highbank: Brai, Giuseppe, 1917 - 1918, son of Francesco Brai and Lucia Falco Caronna, Lee, 1918 - 1918, son of Giacomo Caronna and Maria Stranci Catalano, Baldassare (Bill Catalina), 1855 - 1921, son of Nicolo' Catalano and Angela DiBenedetto. Husband of Vita Ancona, Nicolina Bonura and Maria Grazia Scaccia Citta', Giovanna, 1837 - c.1920, daughter of Filippo Citta' and Maria Cascio, wife of Antonino Roppolo Corte, Maria (or Michele), 1915 - 1915, child of Giuseppe Corte and Maria Bonanno Corte, unnamed child of Giuseppe Corte and Maria Bonanno, 1917 - 1917 Falco, Gioachino, c.1915 - c.1918, son of Francesco Falco and Paola Falco Flores, Gironimo, c.1877 - 1937 Franco, Cecil, 1931 - 1934, son of Mike Franco and Maria Failla LaBarbera, Frank, 1926 - 1926, son of Sam LaBarbera and Rose Falco Lombardo, Carlo, 1916 - 1924, son of Giuseppe Lombardo and Giovanna Abbate Loria, Angelo, 1921 - 1925, son of Francesco Loria and Caterina Caronna Messina, Antonino, ? - 1915, son of Vincenzo, mother's name not documented Mule', Anna, 1914 - 1916, daughter of Tony Mule' and Maggie Messina? Salvato, Caterina, 1879 - 1915, daughter of Nicolo' Salvato and Leonarda Tusa, wife of Vick Todaro Salvato, Nicolo', c.1898 - c.1916, son of Calogero Salvato and Maria Campisi Salvato, Nunzio, 1921 - 1923, son of Gaspare Salvato and Rosa Todaro Spedale, Antonino, 1917 - 1918, son of Marco Spedale and Antonina Ippolito Tusa, Leonarda, 1842 - 1920, daughter of Francesco Tusa and Filippa Salvato, wife of Nicolo' Salvato
As described in our bylaws, this "association is created and organized as a non-profit corporation chartered solely for the purpose of maintaining the graves of early settlers of Falls County, Texas, and their descendants who are buried in the Highbank, Texas Italian Cemetery of Falls County, Texas; and to preserve, erect and maintain such fences and walkways as may be necessary to such care... ". Further, it "shall not be conducted for financial gain and no part of its earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder, member or individual. Any receipts of this association in excess of the expenses of operating shall be placed in either an operating fund for future operational expenses, a reserve fund for designated repairs or improvements, or in a perpetual care fund with the interest dedicated for future operational expenses." To see a complete set of the bylaws and articles of incorporation, please contact Robert Lowry at the address at the bottom of this page.
For the time being, I see our role as:
Clearing the two acre plot, very carefully and methodically, so as not to disturb any markers that might be hidden
Determine how many grave markers of any type may still exist
Reinforce existing fences
Have the property mowed once or twice a year
Mark the site with a sign and register it with Falls County, the State of Texas and with other cemetery associations
I feel that an initial membership of about 50 interested individuals and an annual membership fee of $5.00 per household should be enough to get things started. We'll need to elect a board comprised of President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and four directors, all of which will be unpaid positions. If you'd like to be a part of this project, either in the general membership or as a board member, please click here to download the application.
We will be organizing small groups of volunteers to meet at the site periodically over the next six months to clear away the brush that has choked the cemetery. However, it is not a requirement of membership to participate in these outings. Any votes or meetings required of such organizations by the State of Texas will take place by telephone, internet or by US Postal Service, and should involve minimal inconvenience to members.
For more information about the Association, please contact Robert Lowry at rlowry@poggioreale.net
Top photo is Robert in 1993. Second and third are of Highbank's Saint Joseph's Catholic Church and of Joe Falsone in the Post Office and appear on this page courtesy of Robbie Morrison.
