Fort Bend ISD purchased the site in 2011 from a land developer. In advance of the purchase of the property, FBISD conducted its due diligence, which included a cultural investigation of the site. The resulting report revealed only that the property was previously part of an approximately 2,000-acre parent tract known as the “Central State Prison Farm.” The consulting firm advised FBISD that no further archeological work on the property was warranted and noted that the Texas Historical Commission had agreed with this conclusion on two prior occasions, even as recently as 2014. 

Archaeologists believe the individuals buried at the property are linked to the property's historical use as a sugar plantation both before and after the abolition of slavery in 1865.  Following emancipation, owners of the property cultivated the land by utilizing leased convict labor. In 1877, property owner Littleberry Ambrose Ellis established of a convict camp in partnership with neighboring landowner and joint operator of the Texas prison at Huntsville, Edward Cunningham.

Records indicate that the burial site was utilized through 1911, as the State of Texas operated the Imperial Prison Camp Number 1 on the property.

Artifacts also suggest the likelihood of burials being established prior to 1870’s, which would indicate the possibility that the site was used as a burial ground during the time period prior to convict leasing, although not confirmed.

In spring 2021, Fort Bend ISD presented the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Plan, which includes the two phase Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project. Phase One of the project is the design of the Sugar Land 95 Exhibit, which incorporates educational features and memorial components within the James C. Reese CTE Center. This phase of the project was complete in February 2022, with the opening of the exhibit to the general public and the FBISD community. Since the opening of the exhibit, FBISD has welcomed over 500 visitors to the site to learn more about the Sugar Land 95 and convict leasing. FBISD is thankful for the partnership and collaboration with the Fort Bend Historical Association, Texas Archives and other local historians, as their expertise is greatly valued in sharing this history.

In September 2020, the District established a temporary cemetery design including a perimeter fence, signage, and grave markers. Each gravesite received a marker indicated the numerical order in which the burial was located and the word “UNKNOWN”.  For the time being, a barrier fence outlines the exact location of the cemetery, as well as signage noting the name of site as registered by the Texas Historical Commission “Bullhead Camp Cemetery.” The sign also indicates hours of visitation for those who wish to visit.

Phase Two of the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project is the establishment of an outdoor learning area and a revitalized cemetery. This phase kicked off in November 2021, when FBISD contracted the world renown MASS Design Group to assist in the visioning and conceptual development of the site. MASS Design are world leaders in both designing with dignity in mind and engaging local communities in memorialization. Over the course of spring 2022, FBISD and MASS Design hosted a series of virtual and face-to-face design workshops for stakeholders to give their input and opinions on the site design. In October 2022, the first draft of the conceptual plans were previewed at a community engagement symposium funded by the Fort Bend Education Foundation and the FLUOR Corporation. Since that time, MASS Design and FBISD have been working to refine the design plan and finalize the projected budget for the site. Once complete, FBISD will present the final design plans to the community.

In an effort to memorialize the discovery and educate others about the system of convict leasing, the District has developed the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Plan. The Sugar Land 95 Memorial Plan has three major goals: Education, Memorialization, and Community Engagement. The long-term strategic plan outlines the intended and actualized actions of the District aimed to honor and memorialize the Sugar Land 95. The public is welcome to view the update video on the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Plan.

Fort Bend ISD received Historic Cemetery Designation for the site in February 2021 by the Texas Historical Commission. The application for designation was supported and sponsored by the Fort Bend Historical Commission and the Fort Bend Black Heritage Society. Upon receipt of the Historic Cemetery Designation, FBISD applied for a Texas Historical Marker as part of the Undertold Stories in Texas Marker Program. In February 2022, FBISD was awarded the free historical marker. Currently, the Texas Historical Commission is in the process of developing the marker inscription for acceptance by the Fort Bend Historical Commission. Once finalized, Fort Bend ISD will receive notice of the anticipated date of arrival of the marker in order to plan an official marker installation ceremony at the site. 

Historical Marker Timeline

July 2020 - Report on burial site 41FB35, “Bullhead Convict Labor Camp Cemetery”, submitted to Texas Historical Commission for approval.

August 2020 – Final report on burial site 41FB35 “Bullhead Convict Labor Camp Cemetery” published by FBISD. Application for Texas Historic Cemetery Designation submitted to Texas Historical Commission on behalf of Fort Bend Independent School District, Fort Bend Historical Commission, and the Fort Bend Black Heritage Society.

December 2020 – Notice of pending designation status received by applicants from THC.

January 2021 – FBISD files Texas Historic Cemetery Designation certificate with Fort Bend County Clerk.

February 2021 – THC received filing for Texas Historic Cemetery Designation from Fort Bend County Clerk. THC notifies FBISD that the cemetery is now officially registered as a Texas Historic Cemetery and is eligible to receive a historical marker.

May 2021 – FBISD contacts THC for guidance on the process of obtaining a historical marker and which marker program would be most aligned with the historic nature of the cemetery. FBISD is advised by the THC that the Undertold Marker Program application period is October 1 – November 15, 2021.

October 2021 – FBISD completes and submits the application for the Undertold Stories in Texas: Marker Program.

November 2021 – THC notifies FBISD that they received the application for the Undertold Stories Marker Program.

February 2022 – THC approves the application for the Bullhead Convict Labor Camp Cemetery to receive an official Texas Historical Marker paid for through Marker Application Funds: Undertold Program.

December 2022 – FBISD contacted THC for an update on the marker inscription. FBISD notified by THC “The inscription is currently awaiting peer review.”

May 2023 – FBISD contacts THC for an update on the marker inscription. FBISD notified by the THC, “The inscription has been drafted. A draft will be sent out hopefully this month for your and the CHC’s review.”

July 2023 – FBISD schedules a call with THC about the historical marker inscription.

August 2023 – THC emails Fort Bend County Historical Commission and FBISD the draft wording for the marker inscription. All parties notified that they have 45 days to submit technical revisions to the THC.

In May 2019, the FBISD Board of Trustees adopted a local studies standard, integrating the Sugar Land 95 discovery into the District’s social studies curriculum. With the adoption of the standard, the Sugar Land 95 was incorporated into the social studies curriculum in grades 4, 5, 7, 8, and high school U.S. History. This standard will also allow for our students to learn about other topics related to ethnic history including key leaders and events in our local history.

Information regarding convict leasing in the state and the Sugar Land 95 will also be included in course curriculum and the corresponding TEKS for the State’s African American Studies course, which was approved by the State Board of Education in April 2020 and will be offered to FBISD students in the 2020-21 school year. Fort Bend ISD Coordinator of Community and Civic Engagement Chassidy Olainu-Alade collaborated with SBOE representative Aicha Davis to develop the state TEKS after presenting research on the discovery of the historic cemetery to SBOE Representative Pat Hardy.

Olainu-Alade has also designed and delivered a presentation and a series of professional learning sessions for educators and entities seeking to learn about the discovery. This presentation is available for other school districts, community organizations, and government entities seeking to gain understanding and insight on the discovery.

Sugar Land 95 – DNA Research 

The Texas Attorney General issued an opinion in June of 2019 confirming that the Texas Historical Commission (THC) alone has the authority to authorize extraction of biological samples for isotope analysis and DNA sequencing. Following this opinion, the tooth and bone samples necessary for future DNA and isotope testing were entrusted to the University of Texas’ Archaeological Research Laboratory (TARL) in Austin for curation.

 
Fundraising 
 
IIn the fall of 2019, the Texas Historical Commission approved a research proposal for the extraction and analysis of ancient DNA. Pursuant to that permit, TARL forwarded samples to a respected geneticist at the University of Connecticut for genetic analysis.
 
Researchers have secured funding for the first batch of DNA extractions. Additional funding will be needed to fund the remaining DNA extractions, analysis, comparisons to existing databases, public outreach, and genealogical studies. Fort Bend ISD is not directing this fundraising.  

To donate to this important research study, please visit https://www.principalresearchgroup.org/ 

The finalization of the bioarcheological report is an important milestone in Fort Bend ISD’s efforts to educate the community at-large about the Sugar Land 95. The information contained within this report has been long awaited by the community to provide an understanding of who exactly the individuals are now known as the Sugar Land 95. Fort Bend ISD is in full support of bringing awareness to the lives and legacies of the Sugar Land 95, but also to reveal to true story of the injustices and exploitation associated with the system of convict leasing. This report is just one tool that FBISD can utilize in our efforts to advocate and bring voices to the Sugar Land 95.  The report was submitted to the Texas Historical Commission in August 2020 for technical review and approval.

The District can maintain the cemetery as long as necessary or until the County or another entity assumed the responsibility. The cemetery was discovered on District property and has been restored. FBISD has a legal and moral duty to maintain or care for it. Maintaining an historic cemetery is different from operating or managing an active cemetery, which would include ongoing sales of plots and burials, etc.

There is no set timeline. The district remains open to considering a partnership with any community partner, including Fort Bend County or a nonprofit organization whose mission and vision aligns with the goals of FBISD with respects to the memorialization of the Sugar Land 95.

The Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project welcomes the collaboration and support of individuals with a desire to assist. FBISD offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for students or individuals seeking community service hours. The District works with many groups including youth organizations, civic groups, churches, and universities to promote the Sugar Land 95 and engage the community.

The District has developed strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations and corporations to host programming and events for commemoration and remembrance of the Sugar Land 95.

Anyone interested in gaining more information on being a part of the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project, should email SugarLand95@fortbendisd.com .

In February 2019, Fort Bend County commissioners stepped forward to explore possibilities of the County taking over the cemetery from the District. But the County determined that the law did not grant it the authority to own or operate the cemetery.  With the support of local lawmakers, a bill was passed that would allow the County to own and operate the cemetery.

During the legislative session, the District’s negotiations with the County continued regarding conveyance of the land for a memorial park, which the County had authority to operate. But then, after the legislation passed that allowed the County to own and operate the cemetery, negotiations stalled over the question of whether court approval was needed to rebury the remains where they were found. Since Fort Bend ISD was no longer seeking the court’s permission to remove the remains or the cemetery designation, there was no action for the court to resolve. Fort Bend ISD dismissed the petition, believing it was more respectful to the Sugar Land 95 to go forward with re-interment even before the conveyance of land. 

In February 2018, bones were discovered as a contractor was backfilling a trench at the construction site. Fort Bend ISD immediately notified its archaeologists.

Texas law prohibits construction in the area of an owner’s property where human remains are discovered. Upon discovery, the Texas Historical Commission deemed the site an abandoned cemetery under the law and designated the site as a cemetery. 

In June of 2018, a court granted FBISD permission to begin the process of exhuming the remains for the purposes of further forensic investigation.

The exhumation and onsite analysis consisted of a methodical and extensive process. Each exhumation took approximately 36-48 person hours per grave, followed by 4-8 hours for cleaning and an additional 12-15 hours for analysis of each individual.