WHITE OAK, Texas (KLTV) – Twelve years in the making… a historical marker is finally recognized.

And for Debra Christian — this plaque hits home.

“After emancipation, this was our land,” Christian said.

Between the 1870s-90s, the Shiloh community consisted of a church, school and cemetery for African Americans.

Gregg County Historical Commission board member Gregg Muckelroy said prior to the Civil War this area was a slave encampment.

“Most of the African Americans in this community stayed here and they were gifted with hundreds of acres of land. And they are still here today,” Muckelroy said.

In 1892, three acres were donated to Christian’s ancestors.

From there — generations grew.

“Shiloh should be proud to know he came from right here,” Christian said. “And that’s my cousin!”

The new historical marker credits rightful ownership of the land to Shiloh Baptist Church.

Christian said tracking her genealogy led her to her roots.

“I came home to Shiloh to understand and the sacrifices of our ancestors,” Christian said.

She chose this land to honor military sacrifices made by those from the Shiloh community.

“As I kept doing our history, I wanted people to know about all the all the Christians have fought for for over 250 years for America,” Christian said.

Muckelroy said those buried in Shiloh’s cemetery range from soldiers who fought in major U.S. wars to the ones who were fought for.

“Not only veterans, but they have people that were born into slavery that are buried here,” Muckelroy said. “So, I guess they were veterans of their period.”

“They should be recognized,” Christian said. “Some are buried here and then across the street. So, we give honor to them this week, today and every day. And we let them know, ‘You know what? You have not been forgotten.’”

You can visit that historical marker at 1238 Shiloh Drive in White Oak.

There are also two other markers in Shiloh at the church and the former Rosenwald School.