Sharing a brief but revealing glimpse of some of the more strikingly elegant markers of their day that are at the Pioneer Cemetery in South Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio.
This tiny cemetery also has the alternate name of "Old Village Cemetery" on Find A Grave.
This tiny cemetery also has the alternate name of "Old Village Cemetery" on Find A Grave.
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The Pioneer Cemetery is owned by the Village of South Amherst.
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Find A Grave's map shows that the Pioneer Cemetery is located on "South Lake Street," which it is, however the road sign at the intersection of Main Street - which is State Route 113 also known as Telegraph Road - is labeled as "Pyle South Amherst Road."
I did not see a South Lake Street sign at the intersection. Thus, if you are heading east on Main Street you would turn right at this intersection and drive a short distance where this small cemetery is on the right side of the sloping roadway.
I did not see a South Lake Street sign at the intersection. Thus, if you are heading east on Main Street you would turn right at this intersection and drive a short distance where this small cemetery is on the right side of the sloping roadway.
Only a rather narrow strip of grass outside of the old rusting wrought iron fence provides space where a car could be parked lengthwise and kept off the roadway. Private residences flank the cemetery.
(Above)
I believe this marker to be for:
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(Above)
Close up view of Harry Redington's marker
and Polly Redington
(Above)
The Pope markers
Joseph, Sarah,
& Benjamin Pope
Visible are the remains of a stone border
denoting this family's plot.
& Benjamin Pope
Visible are the remains of a stone border
denoting this family's plot.
(Above)
and
the marker for Elizabeth Pickett
My thoughts:
The Pioneer Cemetery in South Amherst certainly needs a great amount of TLC; much more than it has been getting.
There are some markers with evidence of previous older repairs that are now failing that may not have been appropriate for them.
There are some markers with evidence of previous older repairs that are now failing that may not have been appropriate for them.
I would encourage the Village of South Amherst to take serious note of the severe deteriorating condition of their town's early cemetery.
A sound plan of action and participation would include:
Bringing about greater awareness to the Pioneer Cemetery's plight through the local media and town hall type meetings.
Enlisting volunteers from local community groups to spend some time cleaning up, and thus saving their pioneer cemetery and its history from further decay.
Seeking funding for repairing and resetting the grave markers.
Hiring a professional whose expertise lies with preserving older cemeteries in particular.
IMPORTANT!
Considering only a conservator who adheres to Do No Harm" best practices of the NCPTT (National Center for Preservation Technology and Training). One who affirms that they do NOT use abrasive/aggressive tools (i.e. NO power tools such as Nyalox brushes on power drills or power washers!) to clean gravestones.
A sound plan of action and participation would include:
Bringing about greater awareness to the Pioneer Cemetery's plight through the local media and town hall type meetings.
Enlisting volunteers from local community groups to spend some time cleaning up, and thus saving their pioneer cemetery and its history from further decay.
Seeking funding for repairing and resetting the grave markers.
Hiring a professional whose expertise lies with preserving older cemeteries in particular.
IMPORTANT!
Considering only a conservator who adheres to Do No Harm" best practices of the NCPTT (National Center for Preservation Technology and Training). One who affirms that they do NOT use abrasive/aggressive tools (i.e. NO power tools such as Nyalox brushes on power drills or power washers!) to clean gravestones.
A wealth of local history abounds at the South Amherst Pioneer Cemetery. History that highlights the lives of the early families of this area that is far too important to risk losing.
There is no question that protecting and preserving the hallowed ground and gravesites of South Amherst's Pioneer Cemetery stands paramount; and its needs can no longer be ignored.
"Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its
dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its
people, their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high
ideals."
By Sir William Gladstone
