Cemetery Timeline

Originally called Old French Colony Cemetery and later Fishtrap Cemetery before being renamed La Réunion Cemetery.

1855

First burial at La Réunion Cemetery: Josephine Cantagrel (Died at sea so not a colonist. First colonist buried here was Jean Lagogue.)

1917–1932

Mexican nationals burials, many who were residents of Cement City.

26 May 1934

Bonnie Parker of Bonnie & Clyde notoriety buried here. In 1945, Bonnie, her toddler niece and nephew were moved to Crown Hill Cemetery, where her mother had been buried the year before. Some of her mother’s relatives remain buried here.

1939

Burial of the last known colonist who was buried here. There are later burials at other cemeteries.

1950

Last known burial takes place

1970s

City of Dallas Park Department assumes responsibility for grounds maintenance

1974

Texas State Historical Marker dedicated

April 1992

Dallas Genealogical Society compiles list of burials.

September 2026

Volunteers create comprehensive database merging the Find a Grave and Dallas Genealogical Society databases and adding veterans service information provided by Joe Spears of the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame.

Text of the 1974 marker

Burial place of French, Belgian, and Swiss settlers brought here 1855-58 by company for European American colonization in Texas. This site was on road from La Reunion to Willow Fish Traps set by the colonists in the Trinity. Early burials in this cemetery included aged French Grenadier Pere Lagogue; also a young child of colony director F. Cantagrel. The company failed, but certain families remained, including the Loupots, Remonds, Reverchons, and Santerres. They became business and cultural leaders in Dallas area, and used this cemetery as late as 1939 for family burials.