Entry No. 32 — the San Antonio file — filed under: haunted
San Jose Burial Park (Old Stinson Field Graveyard)
A working cemetery on the old Stinson Field grounds where locals swear by full-bodied apparitions -- most often a seven-foot-tall woman said to have taken her own life in the 1930s after being ridiculed for her height, and an unidentified bearded woman seen wandering between headstones.
The story
If you follow Mission Road down through the historic mission corridor on San Antonio's South Side, you'll hit 8235 Mission Road—a patch of land known historically as the Old Stinson Field Graveyard, now operating as San Jose Burial Park. Sitting directly on the footprint of the old Stinson Field grounds, it is a place where early Texas aviation history and active burial plots occupy the exact same square footage.
The cemetery's reputation among locals stems from two remarkably specific full-bodied apparitions reported wandering between the headstones. The first is a seven-foot-tall woman, said to have taken her own life in the 1930s following years of relentless public ridicule over her height. The second is an unidentified bearded woman seen pacing quietly among the graves. You didn't hear it from us, but South Side residents have passed down reports of both figures for generations.
Despite the supernatural lore, remember that San Jose Burial Park isn't a abandoned movie set—it remains a fully functioning, active cemetery. Propeller planes from adjacent Stinson Field still bank low over the headstones, cutting through the silence and reminding you that everyday life and long-buried neighborhood secrets share the same fence line here.
What it's like
Arriving at 8235 Mission Road, you will find a quiet, active graveyard framed by open sky and the occasional low-flying plane descending into Stinson Field. The mood is solemn and slightly surreal, especially in the late afternoon. Keep your visit strictly respectful: stick to the driveways and established footpaths, avoid disturbing active plots or grieving families, and limit your ghost-hunting to an early-evening walk along the perimeter near the Mission Reach trail.
The move: Take an early-evening walk through the grounds along the Mission Reach trail before dinner nearby, respectfully, as you would any active cemetery.
- 📍 South Side, Mission Road
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 8235 Mission Road, San Antonio, TX 78214
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Berg's Mill Community — Drive just over a mile down the road to explore the remnants of a 19th-century South Side mill settlement along the river.
- Camp Hot Wells (at Hot Wells Historic Park) — Pair a quiet cemetery walk with a soak or sightsee 1.6 miles away at the historic resort ruins where sulfur waters once drew movie stars.
- Papa Jim's Botanica — Head 2.4 miles west to browse thousands of square feet of folk magic, protection candles, and herbs to lean deeper into South Side lore.
- The Ghost Tracks — Continue 2.5 miles south to visit San Antonio's most famous paranormal roadway legend where parked cars supposedly roll across the tracks.
Good to know
Where is San Jose Burial Park located?
It is located at 8235 Mission Road in San Antonio's South Side, situated on the old Stinson Field property.
Is this cemetery abandoned?
No, it is a working, active cemetery (historically known as Old Stinson Field Graveyard) with regular graveside services and visitors.
What ghosts are allegedly seen here?
Local urban legends highlight a seven-foot-tall woman who reportedly died by suicide in the 1930s after being teased for her height, as well as an unidentified bearded woman who wanders the headstones.
When is the best time to visit?
Visit during daylight hours or early evening, ideally combining a quiet walk around the grounds with a trip along the nearby Mission Reach trail.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: ksat.com · hauntedplaces.org
last checked: 2026-07-20