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 9, 2025

Sharing from The "Medina County Gazette" - "Paul LaRue speaks to Friends of the Cemetery" - September 8, 2025 by Patrick Rhonemus

Excerpt:

"LaRue is president of the State Board of Education of Ohio and serves as the co-chair for the America 250 Ohio K-12 Education Committee.
He taught high school history for 30 years at Washington Court House High School."
“Folks sometimes think that cemeteries are weird or creepy or scary,” he said. “But, my students really grew to love being out there because it gave them a frame of reference for things.” *****
"Friends of the Cemetery is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and beautifying two of Medina’s historic cemeteries, Spring Grove Cemetery and Old Town Graveyard.

Organization President Teresa Merkle said they try to host presentations from people who focus on preservation and history.
She said the organization is involved in preserving headstones in the cemetery."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Sharing a one year report from the Huntington Township Trustees regarding their work at the Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Ross County and a link to their video.

 Sharing from the Scioto Post.:

"Ross County Township Proud of Year’s Work
on
 Large Abandoned Cemetery"

 

"Huntington Township, Ross County — 
After about 12 years of neglect and legal wrangling, the bankrupt Floral Hills Memory Gardens off US 23 south of Chillicothe was handed over to the township…which is proud of what they have been able to accomplish for it over the last year.

"The Huntington Township trustees reviewed their progress on the large cemetery in a special session on August 19th, 2025, and trustee John Cottrill outlined the situation afterward with me.
(Hear him in his own words in the below video interview.)"

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSVIEwobuiU


Thursday, September 4, 2025

John King has provided the latest - and most exciting - progress updates for the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio!

On September 4, 2025, John King, an original volunteer who has devoted countless hours working at the Old Burying Ground since 2014, has provided an updated progress report for this decade-plus long program entitled: 
"Old Burying Ground Preservation Project".  

This historic and scenic cemetery is located in beautiful Greenfield, 
Highland County, Ohio.  

This project is an all-volunteer cemetery preservation / restoration / conservation endeavor that ensures it addresses all of the needs of the cemetery, including resolving the negative issues 
impacting the grave markers and monuments that grace
the sacred grounds of this early Ohio cemetery's landscape. 
This all encompassing focus includes repairing
the cemetery's 
fencing and gates. 

"Old Burying Ground Preservation Project"


"As mentioned in the last update, weather
played a major role
 in our preservation efforts. 
Too hot and humid for so many days we 
did not think we should schedule time
 for people to come out and stress
 from the heat. 
However, John King and Michael Lee Anderson
 did have a few spur of the moment sessions
 to see what we could get done. 
We did manage to repair a few stones, 
some in multiple pieces! "


"We'll notify you when we have a
 cleaning session scheduled."
****************
All Photographs below provided by
 John King on September 4, 2025:
Gate Update . . .
"A local person has taken the left side of the gate
 that was severely damaged as reported
 in our
 last update to his shop 
and believes he can repair it. 
We hope he can. 
It will probably be a couple months
 before we know anything."

"We now have a beautiful sign near the entry gate. 
It gives an overview of the cemetery, 
shows a grid map of the burials, 
and lists all the known burials
 with reference to the map. 
If you are in the area, stop by to see it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Michael Lee Anderson
 standing by the beautiful new sign.:


"Since 2014, the Old Burying Ground (OBG)
 in Greenfield, Ohio, has been undergoing
work by a group of dedicated volunteers.
Throughout each year, work sessions have been
 held by key volunteers. 
informing you of any upcoming work sessions, and
offering information about this historic cemetery.
We encourage your continued support in this effort and your
sharing of this information with your friends.
Thank you for caring."


"How Can YOU Help?

"Join us for an upcoming volunteer session. 
You can stay as long as you like. 
We will help you get started if you have not participated previously. Tasks range from cleaning stones, straightening stones, recording information, etc. 
We post our scheduled sessions on the GHS website calendar 
If you are unable to attend a session and still want to help, donations are always welcome as we do have to
 purchase gravel and other supplies for cleaning and
 repairing the gravestones. 
Donations can be made payable to the Greenfield Historical Society and include a note that it is for the cemetery project. 
Thanks for the support."