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."

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Sharing this exciting video interview and story from Fox8.com TV in Cleveland.: A first look at the James A. Garfield monument after restoration - and it is stunning!

Cleveland's Channel 8 Fox News reporter Suzanne Stratford's "grand reveal" report titled: 

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"Monument Makeover: A look inside Lake View Cemetery's James A. Garfield Memorial" was posted online on September 28, 2020.

If you are familiar with the James A. Garfield Memorial at the Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, then you know for a number of years the towering statuesque structure looked sadly dark and dirty, certainly not befitting to properly pay tribute to a past United States President and First Lady. 

It required extensive restorative measures on its entire exterior to preserve it for the future.  It would take some time to accomplish, but it had to be done, and so it was and now we get to see it!   

Below are some of my photographs of the Garfield Memorial's exterior taken during a visit to Lake View Cemetery on October 13, 2017.  A new visit is definitely in order soon!:  




While the interior of the Garfield Memorial is not open, we can look forward to touring it in March, 2021 according to the report.
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Below is another photograph of the Garfield Memorial taken October 13, 2017:


Friday, September 25, 2020

Royalton Twp. asking voters for two levies


Sharing from Fulton County, Ohio.  Royalton Township.  
This story is a reminder that levy time is coming up.  Please vote for a levy that benefits cemeteries.  Otherwise, township cemeteries can continue to deteriorate as we so well know.  Needed repairs may not get done or have to wait until volunteers step in to fill the void with whatever they are able to handle.  Adequately maintaining the final resting places of our ancestors and relatives depends on us.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Lucas County, Ohio - Local Boy Scout, Andrew Baker, cleans veterans' graves, helping him to earn his Eagle Scout Badge

Sharing this inspiring news story from Channel 24, WNWO - TV News in Toledo Ohio and posted online on September 22, 2020 by Jay Hannah.:

Excerpt:

"I decided to choose this project because I have a lot of family in the military, or have been veterans. It just felt like the right project for me."

There are roughly 1,000 veteran graves at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Waterville.

Andrew and his family plan on cutting back any overgrowth on them, washing them off and replacing each marker sticker.

They've made it through over 60% in just two weekends."

 
  Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Waterville, Lucas County, Ohio has 3,246 memorials on "Find A Grave."

Learn more about how someone can join this effort as a volunteer to assist by visiting Andrew Baker;s website to sign up! 

  

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

CCPA to host Oak Dale Cemetery Tour

Sharing.  From Urbana, Ohio, Oak Dale Cemetery. 
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Oak Dale Cemetery on Find A Grave:
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/42484/oak-dale-cemetery


Monday, September 21, 2020

"Cemetery Tour - Six Feet Under and Six Feet Apart" - Lake Shore Cemetery - Avon Lake, Lorain County, Ohio - with Sherry Spenzer - $10.00 a guest

 

Event Details

When: Thursday, Oct 1st, 2020 - 4:00pm

"Enjoy a walk with the dead.  
Avon Lake Author and historian, Sherry Spenzer will guide you through the stories of Avon Lake's oldest residents. 
Pick your tour day and time, as well as your group. Any day in October. 
First come first serve. 
Have a nice dinner party and finish with a tour with Avon Lake's oldest residents. 
Call  (440) 549-4425 to make your reservation."


Friday, September 18, 2020

In remembrance of the Reverend Andrew Jackson Young. He was born into slavery in Kentucky but thankfully died free in Paulding County, Ohio

Honoring the memory of Rev. Jackson Young. That is how his name is written on his grave marker at the Young Cemetery, however, his obituary begins.:
"Andrew Jackson Young died in Washington Township, Paulding County, Ohio June 8, 1900."
The obituary goes on to state that "the deceased was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, January 18, 1812; aged at death 88 years, 4 months, 20 days." 
The next paragraph reveals an unexpectedly grim truth.:
"He was a slave and was sold repeatedly on the auction block until Abraham Lincoln issued his proclamation. He was then released penniless and devoid of an education." 
Reverend Andrew Jackson Young's full obituary can be read on his Find A Grave memorial which is posted in two-parts

Reverend Andrew Jackson Young's legacy is one that definitely matters and should be honored now as much as it was at the time of his passing. One way that can be accomplished is to pass the legislation currently in the U. S. Congress that better protects African American burials grounds across America.: 



The Biography of the Young Cemetery on Find A Grave.:
(Taken from the History of Grover Hill by Laurence R. Hipp, published in 1971.)
"The one-half acre of land for the site of the Young Family Cemetery, located in the Northeast Quarter of Section 27 of Washington Township, was deed to the township trustees by Jackson Young, Mary 2, 1888. This deed is recorded in Volume 47, page 200, Paulding County Record of Deeds. This is a small cemetery located only a few rods to the northwest of the Fought Cemetery, both of these burial grounds being located slightly north of the former site of Plumb's Crossroads. Only black residents of Washington Township are buried in the Young Cemetery."

Sunday, September 13, 2020

A tense situation continues between the City of Ravenna and the Township over the continued care of the Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna


Sharing this most recent update regarding the continuing joint care of Ravenna's Maple Grove Cemetery by both the city and Ravenna Township stressing how it remains a costly unresolved issue, particularly for the township.  
Over 15,000 memorials are listed for Maple Grove on Find A Grave. 
The township cited that it took over Grandview Memorial Park which has over 3,400 memorials listed for it on Find A Grave.

The article explains that Ravenna and Ravenna Township have a Union Cemetery Agreement.  

"759.341 Union cemetery district."

"The legislative authority of each municipal corporation and the board of township trustees of each township that has united in the establishment and management of a cemetery under section 759.27 of the Revised Code, by an affirmative vote of a majority of each legislative authority and board, may form a union cemetery district comprised of all of the territory within the united municipal corporation and township for the purpose of levying taxes within the territory of the district for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the cemetery. The legislative authority and board, acting jointly, shall constitute the taxing authority of the union cemetery district. Notwithstanding sections 759.375705.19, and 5705.191 of the Revised Code, in order to adopt a resolution to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation within the district, a majority of the members of each legislative authority and board of township trustees constituting the taxing authority must vote in favor of the resolution. In all other matters, when the legislative authority and board are acting jointly as the taxing authority of the union cemetery district, each member of the legislative authority and board shall have one vote as described in section 759.37 of the Revised Code."
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"There's not another jurisdiction in the state of Ohio that is responsible for two cemeteries, except for us," said Township Trustee Hank Gibson, the township's representative on the cemetery board. "I think anyone with a sound mind would say that's not fair."
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Below is a link to the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District and the cemeteries they are responsible for. 
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"NEW BUSINESS"
"A. DISCUSSION – JOINT MEETING FOR THE APPROVAL OF TAX MILLAGE FOR THE FALLEN TIMBERS UNION CEMETERY DISTRICT ON MAY 13, 2019 AT 6:00 P.M.
At a January 7, 2019 Special Joint Meeting, the Waterville City Council, along with the elected officials of the Village of Whitehouse and Waterville Township created the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District. At this joint meeting, a Cemetery Board of Trustees was selected from representatives of the three participating jurisdictions and a general consensus was reached on how the district would be funded and the necessary steps needed to begin operations as a union cemetery. Legislation is on tonight’s Council agenda which will finalize the City’s financial contribution, provide assistance with equipment services and transfer the City owned Wakeman Cemetery to the District. The Ohio Revised Code requires an annual joint meeting of the participating members of the Union Cemetery District to be held at the Council Chamber of the largest participating municipality at its first regular meeting in May each year for the purpose of determining the annual rate of taxation for the District. Since Waterville is the largest member, the meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building prior to our regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting agenda and the District’s proposed 2020 Operating Budget was included with Council’s packet for their review and discussion. The rate of taxation approved at the joint meeting would be uniform throughout the District and is levied outside of the ten-mill limitation. The requested 0.46 mills includes the purchase of equipment thought to be part of the necessary “start-up” costs required to begin the operation and maintenance activities for the District’s five publicly owned cemeteries totaling 28.644 acres.
Mr. Frey, Chair of the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District Board of Trustees, stated that the 2020 Operating Budget was put together by the Cemetery Board and
was included in Council’s packet. This budget will need to be approved at the Joint District meeting on May 13 and at that meeting we will also need to set the levy that will be needed to fund the district in the future. 2019 will be funded through the seed money of $50,000 from each from the City of Waterville and the Village of Whitehouse.
Council held a brief discussion on the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District’s proposed 2020 budget. All three entities of the district will meet for the annual joint meeting on Monday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the City of Waterville Council Chamber.
B. RESOLUTION 13-19 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR THE FALLEN TIMBERS UNION CEMETERY DISTRICT
At the January 7, 2019 Special Joint Meeting creating the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District, an understanding was reached among the elected officials present that the Cemetery District would need an interim source of funding to operate in 2019 until property taxes were received in 2020. This Resolution authorizes a “Cooperative Funding Agreement” between the City, the Village of Whitehouse and the Cemetery District to provide a total of $100,000 to fund the operational expenses of the District in 2019. The $50,000, contributed each by the City of Waterville and the Village of Whitehouse respectively, would be paid back to each jurisdiction over a period of five (5) years at a rate of $10,000 per year. The $50,000 payment to the District was included in the 2019 Appropriations Ordinance.
Mayor Brodie moved to adopt Resolution 13-19. Mr. Bruno seconded the motion. Roll call: Mrs. Bruno – yes, Mr. Pedro – yes, Mrs. Duncan – yes, Mayor Brodie – yes, Mr. Frey – abstain, Mr. Bruno – yes. The motion passed.
C. RESOLUTION 14-19 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL EQUIPMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE FALLEN TIMBERS UNION CEMETERY DISTRICT
This Resolution authorizes an “Intergovernmental Equipment Services Agreement” between the City of Waterville and the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District for equipment services involving the opening and closing of graves in the District’s cemeteries on a temporary basis until the District has the equipment and personnel to undertake this work on its own behalf. The city would charge the District $50.00 per hour per City Employee and $100.00 per hour for equipment.
Mr. Pedro moved to adopt Resolution 14-19. Mr. Bruno seconded the motion. Roll call: Mrs. Bruno – yes, Mr. Pedro – yes, Mrs. Duncan – yes, Mayor Brodie – yes, Mr. Frey – abstain, Mr. Bruno – yes. The motion passed.
D. ORDINANCE 06-19 AN ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP OF THE WAKEMAN CEMETERY TO THE FALLEN TIMBERS UNION CEMETERY DISTRICT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
This Ordinance authorizes the transfer of ownership of the Wakeman Cemetery located inside the City of Waterville to the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District. The emergency measure is requested in order to transfer the property to the District as soon as possible in order to avoid any disruption of the operation of the cemetery.
Mayor Brodie made a motion to suspend the rules to allow for the passage of Ordinance 06-19 as an emergency measure. Mrs. Duncan seconded the motion.
Roll call: Mr. Bruno – yes, Mr. Frey – abstain, Mayor Brodie – yes, Mrs. Duncan – yes, Mr. Pedro – yes, Mrs. Bruno - yes. The motion passed.
Mayor Brodie made a motion to move for the passage of Ordinance 06-19 as an emergency measure. Mr. Pedro seconded the motion.
Roll call: Mrs. Bruno – yes, Mr. Pedro – yes, Mrs. Duncan – yes, Mayor Brodie – yes, Mr. Frey – abstain, Mr. Bruno – yes. The motion passed."

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Spotlighting the recent complex repair and restoration of the Thomas and Mary Iiams obelisk monument at the West Point Cemetery, Congress Township, Morrow County, Ohio

Please Note:
First and most importantly, it cannot be stressed enough that because this was a complex repair and restoration of a tall obelisk that was broken in two heavy large pieces, this type of work should only be attempted and undertaken by a licensed and insured professional working in the field who has undergone training and has had experience conducting this type of work in the same or similar setting.
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The photographs below are being shared courtesy of Tim Foor of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC who was hired for this project.  
Tim, with assistance from his son, completed the needed repair and restoration process.
The photographs were taken during the stages of this complex repair of the monument for Thomas James Iiams and his wife, Mary Polly Hardesty Iiams.  
As can be seen in the series of photographs, the obelisk had been lying on the ground in two large pieces.  
The Iiams gravesite and family plot is at the West Point Cemetery in Congress Township, Morrow County, Ohio. 
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Monday, September 7, 2020

Sharing from the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum - "Native American and Township Cemeteries" - Saturday, October 10, 2020 - 10:00a.m. - 11:30a.m. - Part of a Six Saturdays in September, 2020 and October Series

History Roundtable with Mike Gilbert: Native American Burial Grounds & Township Cemeteries
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Date & Time: 
Saturday, October 10, 2020.
10:00 am - 11:30 am

"Event Description"

"During this popular series, local historian Mike Gilbert will discuss a variety of historical topics. This week, investigate the known and unknown graveyards of our area.  
Native American and township cemeteries take center stage in this presentation as the unveiling of hidden burial grounds uncover the rich history buried beneath us. 
History Roundtable is offered on six Saturdays in September and October. Cost is $5 per session or $25 for all six.
To better accommodate demand, pre-registration and pre-payment are required for all sessions and can be done by contacting Curator of Manuscripts Julie Mayle at 419-332-2081, ext. 239, or jmayle@rbhayes.org
Payment can be made to Mayle with cash, check or credit card. Other sessions are Sept. 12, 19 and 26 and Oct. 17 and 24.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sessions will be live online only through Go To Meeting, an online meeting format. A link to each session for which participants register will be emailed to participants by the Thursday before the session."
"History Roundtable is sponsored by an anonymous donor."

"Army Retiree Becomes Cemetery Detective" -- and restores and preserves grave markers at Ohio cemeteries

Sharing a link (from LimaOhio.com), written by Mr. Jim Brewer of the "Ashland Times-Gazette." 
It is just one of the many Ohio news outlets currently circulating the remarkable story of Retired U. S. Army Major Ronny Echelberger presenting important details of his dedicated work restoring and preserving grave markers at gravesites in several Ohio cemeteries - some that are quite remote.  
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Below are links to the cemeteries mentioned in the story as they appear on "Find A Grave." 
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(spelled as Hyde" Cemetery in story)
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Excerpt:
"However, it was not until 2017, after he retired, that he began his quest to restore the cemetery, “starting with education, learning as much as I could on cemetery restoration in two preservation workshops in Massachusetts sponsored by the National Parks Service.”
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Thursday, September 3, 2020

Sharing some photographs and website links of the history of the Avon Center AKA Avon or Mound Cemetery in Avon, Lorain County, Ohio

Sharing recent photographs taken at the Avon Center Cemetery. 
It has also been known as the Avon Cemetery or the Mound Cemetery in Avon, Lorain County, Ohio.
  
Below are some website links with information that help tell the story of the history of the cemetery itself. 
The cemetery signs (there are two of them on the property!) state that 1814 is when it started. 
 
The cemetery grounds are on the South East corner of the intersection of Routes 83 and 254 in Avon, Ohio.
 
The cemetery holds a commanding view on that busy corner. There is a steady stream of vehicles traveling West to Lorain County or East to Cuyahoga County on Route 254 known as Detroit Road in Avon.    
To the South on Route 83 (Avon Belden Road) is North Ridgeville. 
To the North on Route 83 (Center Road) is Avon Lake.
  
Indeed, the Avon Cemetery is quite conspicuous dotted with historic 19th century markers and monuments atop the large mound and gracing its rather steep slopes.  
It is the only one like it in Avon or anywhere nearby!:

From "West Life" News - May 30, 2012:
The Ohio GenWeb website:
 "Mounds or Center Cemetery"
From Wikipedia:
 "Lake Warren"

Below are some longer distance views as well as close ups of grave markers.  
Unfortunately, some markers were just too difficult to read. 

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Below right:
Marker for

Edward Woodford
and his wife
Mary Woodford

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Below:
Two photos taken when 

looking toward the top
 of the Avon Center Cemetery
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Photograph above:
The G.A.R. block marker
can be seen lower left
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Close up view of the G.A.R. concrete block
The Grand Army of the Republic
and to the left on the ground the
original partial iron G.A.R. emblem
often attached to a flag holder rod
for the American Flag
 flown at the gravesite.
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Below:
marker for 

Elleanor Barnes
"Daughter of Hamilton and Renew Barnes
Age 4 months"
 
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 Below two photographs:
Marker for Jesse Sweet
 
 
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Below:
White marble marker

(with part of a plant around it) 
for 
Joshua Brooks
 
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Below:
Left to Right:
Samuel M. Hopkins

and his wife
Laura (Sweet) Hopkins
 
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  Below two photographs:
 
 
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Below:
Five photographs of unidentified markers 
 
 
 
   
 

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Larger monument below:
JohnAnn, Priscilla

and Thomas Robinson

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Below:
A row of markers for the Chester family
  
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Below five photographs:
 
 
 
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 The photographs below illustrate
that old iron pins used to hold a
marker to its base rust out and bend
and over enough time can fail. 
 
 
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Below:
Grave marker for
 
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Below:
Beautifully carved monument
and his wife Elizabeth A. Titus
 
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Below:
This lovely 
draped urn on top 
monument stands as one of the
 most prominent ones 
at the Avon Center Cemetery.  
It was erected for
Samuel Clark and his wife
Polly (Seward) Clark

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Below:
Imposing monument 

for H. A. Langdon

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Below:
 Two longer view photos.
 
 
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Below:
 Grave markers for
Thomas D. Quilliam
and 
 
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Below:
Hiram S. Williams 

and 
Julia Williams

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She was the only daughter of
 Larkin and Lydia Williams. 
Age at death was
 15 years, 11 months, 11 days
 
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