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."

Showing posts with label Toledo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toledo. Show all posts

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Spotlighting a story from the "Toledo Blade" - November 1, 2020: "A time for saluting the past, enjoying the present": By Barbara Hendel - "The Toledo State Hospital Cemetery Reclamation Project"

Facebook Page: Toledo State Hospital Cemeteries 

Website: Toledo State Hospital Cemetery Reclamation Project

"Toledo Blade" Story - November 1, 2020

Excerpt:

"Jane Weber welcomed everyone and said that when the TSH Cemetery Reclamation Project began in 2005, all that they knew was that two cemeteries existed for people who were once patients at Toledo State Hospital, now called Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital. They had the names of 900 people buried there, and almost 1,100 buried in a second cemetery on the University of Toledo campus, but they didn't know where the graves were located, since the numbered markers had all been lost underground. Over the past 15 years, volunteers have found and raised about two-thirds of all markers, researched personal histories, and connected families with lost loved ones who are buried here."

Friday, August 28, 2020

Spotlighting this story: "Local students honor Civil War veteran more than a century after his death."

Sharing this feature story by Lissa Guyton of 13Action News in Toledo, Ohio published on August 26, 2020.  From it, we learn how the local Bowsher High School students achieved a cherish goal to restore dignity and honor to a long forgotten Civil War veteran.  
During his lifetime, this veteran's identity became more associated with a number assigned to him rather than his own name.  The same held true in death.  
Only a lonely looking brick size stone imprinted with his patient number had marked his gravesite - until now.
 The Civil War veteran was Private Joseph Withers, a patient at the Toledo State Hospital who resided there at the time of his death in 1919.  
He was buried at the Toledo State Hospital Cemetery
***
Excerpt:
“I have been taught that a person dies twice. The first time is their physical death. The second is the last time someone says their name. Today, we are saying Joseph’s name again,” said Robyn Hage, supervisor of the Leading Rebels program. “I have truly enjoyed watching the students get excited about this project. It was a lot of work to raise that money. A lot of them want to be activists in the community, so this was a great way to get involved. For me this is very personal because it connects our past to our future.”

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Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Cemetery Vandalism Continues at Ohio Cemeteries both large and small

From the "Herald-Dispatch" in Huntington, West Virginia, published on July 3rd by Luke Creasy are details from the latest update about the current state of the damage at the The Rome-Proctorville Cemetery in Proctorville, Lawrence County, Ohio.
Sharing these excerpts from this story because I feel they are insightful, and are definitely good to know and understand if one of your ancestor's stones was damaged -- not knocked over and no other type of damage.
We learn from the details that the degree and type of damage to a grave marker can dictate if those responsible for the cemetery accepts responsibility to properly repair it.
Also, please note that it is crucial to be sure who is responsible for a cemetery. The example as stated here demonstrates that if there is an older cemetery adjacent to a newer cemetery there might be a different owner for the older one. Thus, if both cemeteries suffer damage it cannot automatically be assumed that the same entity (i.e. township, church, village, etc.) owns both cemeteries and will handle remediation of damages at both cemeteries.:
"Rome-Proctorville Cemetery caretaker Ron Jenkins said he wants to get the headstones in the upright position as quickly as possible and is working with Lawson Monument Company in Huntington to get the headstones off the ground and resealed. Jenkins estimated the cost at $150 per headstone.
Lawson began repairs at the cemetery on Monday morning. Fourteen stones were picked up, placed and sealed on Monday. Jenkins said Lawson has been very accommodating, and remaining repairs will be made by the end of the week.
"(Lawson) said some of them have permanent damage on them, but we're not going to be responsible in replacing those. We're just trying to get them all set back up and sealed back down."
Permanent damage to a gravestone includes any surface damage to the stone such as cracks, scratches and chips. Jenkins said that families that have been affected by permanent damage will not be forced to replace headstones but do have the option of purchasing new stones.
In response to the crime, Bowen said the cemetery will institute increased security steps moving forward. High-definition surveillance cameras soon will be added, as well as additional measures that Bowen did not want to disclose at the time. He said the cemetery's goal is to prevent this situation from happening in the future.
According to Jenkins, there were additional headstones overturned in the Old Rome Cemetery that neighbors Rome-Proctorville; however, they are not responsible for upkeep on those grounds."
Some News Stories about recent cemetery vandalism in Ohio.:

From The "Toledo Blade": Thursday, June 28, 2018 - Forest Cemetery in Toledo:



Contact Sarah Elms at selms@theblade.com419-724-6103, or on Twitter @BySarahElms.
"More than 100 headstones have been toppled at Forest Cemetery this month, and many of the vandalized grave-markers date back to the 1800s.
The most recent act of vandalism — about 12 headstones knocked over — was discovered Wednesday, Cemeteries Foreman Luke Smigielski said. The city runs five cemeteries, and only Forest Cemetery has experienced the vandalism this summer, he said.
More than 50 headstones were discovered knocked over on June 11, and another 42 were found toppled June 18. Forest Cemetery spans 94 acres and is home to more than 94,000 headstones, many of which weigh hundreds to thousands of pounds."
Forest Cemetery in Toledo on "Find A Grave"
The "Grave Tracker" - Forest Cemetery
 City of Toledo

From the "Dayton Daily News" - Monday, July 2, 2018 - Miamisburg, Montgomery County, Ohio:


Thursday, October 4, 2012

"Fall Tree & Tombstone Tour" - Historic Woodlawn Cemetery - Toledo, Ohio - Sunday, October 7, 2012 - 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Click on title to link to the Facebook Page of the Historic Woodlawn Cemetery of Toledo, Ohio and their upcoming "Tree and Tombstone Tour" - Please call to register for the FREE program.
419-472-2186

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Woodlawn Cemetery - Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio - Walking Tour - Sunday, October 9, 2011 - 1p.m.

Click on title to link to the "ToledoBlade.com" column about the upcoming walking tour of Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo on Sunday, October 9, 2011 beginning at 1:00p.m. per the story. 

From the "ToledoBlade.com" website:

"The walking tour is to conclude with refreshments and an opportunity to talk with the guides and re-enactors."

Please Note:
**"The walking tour is free. Registration is requested by Friday by email to mail@historic-woodlawn.com or by calling 419-472-2186."

Saturday, January 8, 2011

"The Haughton Cemetery" - Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio by Margaret Lunt

Click on title to access the website:  "Haughton Cemetery - Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio" by Margaret Lunt.  
This is a very interesting website that contains several links.   

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Toledo State Hospital Cemetery Reclamation Project

Click on title to link to a May 16, 2010 "Toledo Blade" story about the dedication of an Ohio Historical Society marker at the Toledo State Hospital Cemetery. 

I found this story via the Facebook page - "Abandoned Cemeteries"