Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio

Dedicated to cemetery preservation in the great state of Ohio


"A cemetery may be considered as abandoned when all or practically all of the bodies have been Removed therefrom and no bodies have been buried therein for a great many years, and the cemetery has been so long neglected as entirely to lose its identity as such, and is no longer known, recognized and respected by the public as a cemetery. 1953 OAG 2978."

Friday, April 24, 2015

Ohio Historic Inventory Finalized for Sheep Pen Cemetery - Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio


Sharing the completed forms for the Ohio Historic Inventory submitted to the Ohio Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio History Connection (Formerly the Ohio Historical Society)  for Sheep Pen Cemetery (also known as the Gustin Cemetery or Limes Cemetery) located in Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio. 

**** Sheep Pen Cemetery's OHI number is:  HIG0031202****
These papers are on file at the
Ohio Historic Preservation Office and will be retained in their records for reference. 
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I personally feel that these Ohio History Inventories serve as a valuable tool for identifying, in particular, Ohio's inactive cemeteries which are not registered with the State of Ohio. 

These "OHI's" provide state level documentation for recognizing a cemetery's existence substantiated through the information provided in writing and documented by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office on the form pages that show its location, ownership, and any important historical notations about the cemetery such as affiliation with a church (either past or present), and veterans or notable persons interred in it. 

There is so much history to be learned from cemeteries and the gravesites and gravestones that are found in them; whether the cemetery is large or small, city or rural, each one has its unique characteristics that make it special and worth preserving.

Click HERE for more information about the Ohio Historic Inventory.  

To obtain a PDF of the fillable form for individual OHI's, contact:

Susan Tietz | National Register and Inventory Manager, State Historic Preservation Office

Ohio History Connection 
800 E. 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211

p. 614.298.2000 | f. 614.298.2037 | stietz@ohiohistory.org

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 Statement from Susan Tietz:
"The purpose of the creation of an OHI form for a historic resource is simply to document the resource’s existence, it’s location, physical appearance and condition. It is a record of the property and does not convey any particular designation. The more information we have collectively about Ohio’s historic resources, the more we can understand the history of the state. As for protection, documentation on an OHI is the first step—it documents the location and existence of the cemetery. For the most part, raising public awareness about historic cemeteries has been the most effective protection.  The Ohio Historic Inventory is used by the State Historic Preservation Office staff, by various state, local, and federal agencies, and by the general public for making land-use planning, urban development, and road-improvement decisions.

In addition, the inventory serves as an official archive and body of information for researchers and property owners, alike."