In May 2010 we applied for and received a substantial grant from the Collin County Historical Commission for the purpose of erecting a fence along the east side of the cemetery.

We believed, and the Commission agreed, that the fence would greatly help toward the preservation of the cemetery, the memory of the people buried there, and the history of the Empire Community in Collin County. Bear Creek Cemetery is the only physical representation of the original Empire Community that was located west of Nevada.

With this grant and additional donations from families with an interest in this cemetery, we were able to put up a very nice steel fence, nearly 400 feet long. We also have two nice gates, and some signs.