What was a site of new beginnings for Fort Bend Independent School District came to reflect a much deeper history after remains of convict laborers dating back to the 1800’s were uncovered. Now, Fort Bend County Commissioners have voted to invest more than a million dollars to help memorialize those buried there.
Crews first uncovered a historic cemetery on the 65-acre site while backfilling a trench in 2018, according to the memorial webpage. Since then, archeologists have located burials of nearly 100 people believed to be victims of Texas’ convict leasing program—established after the abolition of slavery in 1865.
In total, the remains of 95 individuals were discovered on the grounds of the district’s James Reese Career and Technical Center. They collectively became known as the Sugar Land 95…