Its beautiful grounds cover 22 acres, and is located approximately one mile east of the Capitol. The cemetery is divided into two sections. The smaller one contains around 900 graves of prominent Texans, while the larger has over 2,000 marked graves of Confederate veterans and widows. There is room for 7,500 interments; the cemetery is about half full, It is colloquially known as the “Arlington of Texas” because of the notoriety of those interred, the uneven terrain and row upon row of plain white tombstones, and its proximity to the seat of government in the capital city. The cemetery can be accessed via several gates and has a visitors center and small museum at its main entrance on Navasota St. It offers guided, as well as self-guided audio tours. Rubbings are prohibited due to the newly restored headstones and monuments. Food, drinks, and pets (except seeing-eye dogs) are prohibited on the Cemetery grounds at any time. Plans to create the cemetery began in 1851 with the death of General Edward Burleson who served with Sam Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto and as Vice President of the Republic of Texas. The Texas State Cemetery contains the remains of Austin’s namesake, Stephen F. Austin. His tall statue commands the hill in the southwest corner of the cemetery, and its outstretched arm was meant to show off the main street of the city that bears his name. Notable Texans that have been buried on Cemetery grounds include, 11 Governors including Gov. John Connally & Gov. Ann Richards, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, famed Texas Longhorn football coach Darrell K. Royal, and Chris Kyle (of “American Sniper” fame). Former Governor and United States President George W. Bush announced his intention to be buried in the State Cemetery. However, in August 2018, Bush decided he and his wife will be buried at his presidential center in Dallas. There is a three-member Texas State Cemetery Committee, which was appointeed by Governor George W. Bush. Their goal is for the Cemetery to serve as a tribute to the many people who have made Texas famous throughout the world.