Saint Rose Cemetery was designated a Texas Historical Cemetery during a dedication ceremony in August 2008. Dr. Barbara Welder, chair of the Bee County Historical Commission, spoke at the dedication which was attended by Lawrence Oaks, Executive Director of the Texas Historical Commission. This historical African American burial ground was formally deeded in 1921. However, some burials took place prior to that; with the earliest known burial being that of a former slave, Nancy Williams, dating from 1901. Among the prominent individuals interred here are Mose Lott and Allen Canada, the two men who built the first Beeville schoolhouse for African Americans; several veterans of conflicts dating back to World War I; and Mrs. Mary Canada, who was a mediator between the black and white communities during the “incident free” desegregation of the Beeville Independent School District.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Rialto Theater in Beeville, Texas.

Lady Justice, sculpted by W.C. Stephenson, is lowered from atop the clock dome for repairs after Lauron Fischer and her fellow 4-H’ers raised $30,000 for the lady’s rejuvenation. The restorations were done by the Dallas Museum of Art. In March of 2005 Lady Justice was returned to the dome. Unlike most representations of Justice, this lady reigns from her top-of-the-dome perch, not with a blindfold, but with her eyes open. Stevenson called his Lady Justice an “enlightened justice” a representation of what Justice should be. He thought the lady should have both eyes open to see who might be trying the tip the scales of justice one way or other. She has the mandate of the law (“scroll of records”) hanging on a staff in her left hand and the torch of knowledge in her right. She is made of zinc and covered with a coating that resembles copper. Since Stephenson gave permission to make copies of his work, there may be other “Stephenson Justices” scattered throughout the country.

Photograph of the Bee County Courthouse in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Preager Building (located at 110 Corpus Christi St) in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Preager Building (located at 110 Corpus Christi St) in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Preager Building (located at 110 Corpus Christi St) in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of the Preager Building (located at 110 Corpus Christi St) in Beeville, Texas.

Photograph of an aerial view of Bee County College. In 1965 the voters of Bee County named the entire county as a college district and issued bonds in the amount of $1,500,000 for a junior college. One hundred acres of land was donated for the college campus by the widow of A.C. Jones II, and her three living children, Mrs. W.M. Thompson, W.W. Jones II, and Mrs. H.B. Hause. In the fall of 1967 the first classes of Bee County College were held. Today the college is named Coastal Bend College and includes campuses in Beeville, Alice, Kingsville, and Pleasanton.