Cemetery Island is an instance of a cemetery isolated by rising waters in the middle of a large lake.
Cemetery Island is located above Watts Bar Dam. When the TVA system of dams caused waters to rise, more than 500 cemeteries were relocated. Cemeteries that were above the flood plane and burial sites that families did not want moved were left where they originally stood. Cemetery Island, where Leuty ancestors are buried, is an instance of a cemetery isolated in the middle of a large lake.
Nestled within the Lookout Mountain foothills, Forest Hills Cemetery is easily one of the most interesting cemeteries in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Whenever I am in Chattanooga, I love to visit Forest Hills and wander through the older sections of the cemetery.
From the only female to ever strike out Babe Ruth to leaders of local industries dating back to the early years of Chattanooga’s industrial age, Forest Hills resident list is long and varied.
The rolling terrain that helps give Forest Hills its name.
Truly exhibiting the rolling terrain that makes Chattanooga such a scenic city, Forest Hills’ landscape varies between sections of flat areas populated by flush mounted grave markers to steep inclines with aging monuments standing stalwart overlooking historic St. Elmo 7 miles outside of the city.
Many notable Chattanoogans are buried in Forest Hills Cemetery.
John T. Wilder was a Union Colonel during the U.S. Civil War. On September 18, 1863 Wilder masterfully defended Chickamauga Creek to prevent Confederate Soldiers from flanking the Union Army. This action helped secure the Union position on that day. Wilder later battled in Atlanta and eventually returned to Chattanooga to begin a foundry. He died in 1917. Wilder Tower was build on the grounds of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
On April 2, 1931 17 year old Jackie Mitchell struck out famous Baseball legend Babe Ruth during a Chattanooga Lookouts game against the New York Yankees in Chattanooga. The next batter was Lou Gehrig who swung and missed three times for her second strike out in a row. Jackie continued to play professionally but baseball officials cancelled her contract and declared women unfit to play baseball.
Longtime President and tireless promoter of the Chattanooga Lookouts Baseball Team Joe Engle was a fixture in Chattanooga. This southpaw pitcher came to Chattanooga in 1929 and ran a successful franchise operation with oddball promotions. Chattanooga’s famous Engle Stadium was named after Joe who died in 1969.
In 1919, the Grand Canyon’s most colorful character (John Hance) was buried in what became the Grand Canyon’s Pioneer Cemetery.
I first visited the Grand Canyon in January 2007 after brief stays in Las Vegas, Flagstaff, and Meteor Crater with my amazing friend (The Cemetery Diva). At 7000′ elevation on the South Rim, the weather at the Grand Canyon in January is frigid. The mercury in my thermometer plummeted to -3 F during my first night and, since I have limited experience with such cold weather, I was unprepared for the consequences of sub-zero temperatures. Though I did not freeze to death, as my hotel room was nice and warm, I remember being astounded that my hair froze solid during a brief run after my morning shower. Ah well, the day’s sunrise brought increased temperatures and my hikes to Plateau Point and Skeleton Point were highlights of my trip. I vowed to return better prepared to hike all the way to the Colorado River.
Fast forward to this year. During my recent “Cemeteries Across America” tour, I was lucky enough to pay another visit to the Grand Canyon. The Cemetery Diva and I were better prepared this time to delve deeper into (and out of) the inner canyon. Being in great physical condition and carrying only the supplies we truly needed, we hiked Rim-to-Rim (South Rim to North Rim). After a relaxing night’s stay on the North Rim, she was kind enough to take the trans-canyon shuttle back to the South Rim while I ran the North Rim to South Rim route with a couple of new found friends. My return Rim-to-Rim run took a mere 7 hours. During her free hours, The Cemetery Diva set up camp in the Grand Canyon camp grounds, found a great spot to have dinner, and located the Pioneer Cemetery.
In 1919, the Grand Canyon’s most colorful character (John Hance) was buried in what became the Grand Canyon’s Pioneer Cemetery.
Pioneer Cemetery Rededication
Since the time of John Hance’s burial roughly 300 people have been interred in the Pioneer Cemetery according to Find-A-Grave. Burial is now restricted to residents of Grand Canyon, Arizona. On Memorial Day, 2003 the cemetery was rededicated by the American Legion. The American Legion largely maintains Pioneer Cemetery and they help promote the history of the cemetery and the Grand Canyon.
I love descriptive grave markers. Grand Canyon’s Pioneer Cemetery is filled with descriptive grave markers that share not only the DOB and DOD but also tidbits about the person’s life. One such gravestone marks the grave of Elmer Watahomigie. He was a cowboy in the Grand Canyon and was lost in a severe December winter storm. His remains were not recovered until 1974.
Other markers tell stories of musicians, world sailors, poets, artists, teachers, and lovers who met at the canyon.
In 1956 two airplanes collided between the canyon’s walls. 128 people lost their lives in the plane crash and there were no survivors. A monument is dedicated to those buried here; many of them in a mass grave.
As I enjoyed walking the cemetery and reading the interesting dedications on tombstones, I was surprised by one grave marker. The stone itself did not surprise me nor did the inscription on the plaque. As I stooped in close to examine the marker, I jumped back in a sudden fright as I realized I was within inches of a snake’s tail. I am not normally taken aback by snakes unless they startle me. And, this one really startled me. He (she?) was hiding in a crevice behind a plaque attached to a grave marker. He was likely shading himself in an effort to stay cool with only his tail exposed to the sun to help maintain his body temperature. I have hiked many miles in the Grand Canyon seeing many wildlife species but this is the only snake I have seen.
Close up of a snake behind plaque.
I have three recommendations should you ever decide to visit the Grand Canyon. First, properly prepare yourself and venture into the canyon beyond the casual sightseers that never truly see the beauty of the inner canyon. Second, take a few hours to explore the Pioneer Cemetery and beware of snakes. Finally, after a full day’s adventure of hiking and exploring, make a reservation at the Grand Canyon lodge to enjoy a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs.
Ah, what an adventure.
– The Cemetery Detective
Following a keen interest in cemeteries The Cemetery Detective has studied burying grounds from Hawaii to Maine, Europe, and throughout the United Kingdom. He instructs entrepreneurs how to start their own grave care businesses through his website: www.GraveCareBusiness.com
Cemetery documentation through words, images, and GPS coordinates is as important in Hawaii as anywhere else in the world.
When I think of The Big Island of Hawaii I think of the reclaiming forces of volcanic lava flows, tropical plants & fruit, and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean stretching to the horizon. I also think of cemeteries.
On a recent trip to Hawaii I had three goals; viewing lava flows, snorkeling in the area’s most beautiful water, and visiting the island’s cemeteries. Hawaii exceeded my expectations with fresh lava & clear waters and though I might have missed 1 or 2 uncharted cemeteries, I was able to visit all the cemeteries I had researched before my trip. Using USGS charts, Google Earth, and GPS data sets I had my research all planned out.
I visited 30 cemeteries on the big island. Below are my top 5 favorites.
#1 Keopu Cemetery
Keopu Cemetery – Hawaii
With binoculars in hand, visitors to Keopu Cemetery can faintly see Kona’s high-rise hotels and largely developed tourist beaches. However, at more than 2.5 miles distance and 1450′ feet of increased elevation Keopu’s rugged, lava strewn landscape seems worlds apart from Kona’s main strip.
If not for a wooden sign, Keopu would be hidden from roadway view as its driveway drops off suddenly placing its grave markers and utility building out-of-site for drivers.
Gravesites are plentiful in Keopu. Smooth polished grave markers dramatically contrast the rough Aa lava remnants that surround or encompass each gravesite. Families have attempted to define some grave sites with borders of concrete or cinder blocks. Still, other gravesites are completely obscured by lava chunks.
Flowers in tea cups are placed near grave markers as the occasional overturned saucer or plate can be seen on a few tombstones. Vegetation is sparse with colonizing grasses, ferns, and trees beginning to take over the landscape. However, since roots are shallow and easily disrupted, volunteer workers in the cemetery find it easy to keep the cemetery from being overgrown.
Keopu’s driveway is paved but it is narrow and steep. Visitors with good hiking ability will enjoy parking at the top of the cemetery and traversing the driveway by foot so they can easily visit each interesting grave site.
On the northeast quadrant of Hawaii, tucked in amongst the tight knit community of Makapala, off the Akoni Pule Highway lies Niulii cemetery. A large glass enclosed sign bears the names and birth/death dates of the 43 people interred here. Bordered by palm trees and delicately landscaped, Niulii’s carefully manicured lawn follows the contours of the steep and undulating ground.
The earliest burial date is 1915 and the cemetery seems to be currently active with burials as late as 2008.
Niulii Cemetery serves the Makapala community. Residents care greatly for the cemetery and keep its grave markers decorated with traditional flowers and leis. Niulii presents an aire of welcome as a handmade bench welcomes visitors to sit and rest after wandering through the rows
of gravesites.
Dominated by the 160′ canopy of a single Monkeypod Tree (Samenea Saman) grave sites in the middle section of Alae Cemetery bask in shade while the cemetery’s other grave sites are fully exposed to sun, wind, and rain. Just 5 miles outside of Hilo, on the island’s east coast, Alae Cemetery offers a plush, grass filled landscape. A paved roadway within the cemetery allows easy access to most gravesites.
Predominantly of Japanese culture, the grave sites within Alae Cemetery are traditionally decorated. Artificial floral and other adornments to the graves are discouraged though there are occasional placements of tea cups, toy cars, and Japanese statues. Arrangements of anthurium add plenty of red splashes to the cemetery and gilded lettering offset many inscriptions on the otherwise dark colored tombstones.
Alae Cemetery is an easy 10 minute drive from Hilo. It is a private cemetery and observes structured hours of operation.
Tsunamis are common in Hawaii but the events of April 1, 1946 were not common or expected.
A Tsunami that originated from an Aleutian Islands earthquake came ashore at Laupahoehoe Harbor while school was in session. As the local school house was overcome by the raging waters, screaming children and frightened teachers were ripped from their desks and washed out to sea.24 people ranging in age from 3 months to 35 years lost their lives in the Tsunami. Many people were rescued by dedicated residents and rescue personnel. One lady survived by clinging to and floating on a door that was torn from a teacher’s cottage.
Laupahoehoe Cemetery is adjacent to the harbor and serves the community. Surrounded by a bordering fence of lava chunks that is overgrown with vegetation, the burying ground contains victims and survivors of the 1946 Tsunami as well as other residents. Grave sites contain flush graves with traditional tombstones yet there is a row of raised burial tombs with rounded crypt covers.
It is easy to become lost in your thoughts while wandering Laupahoehoe Cemetery with the sound of mighty Pacific Ocean waves crashing in the background.
In 1986 a Kilauea lava flow greatly affected the community of Kalapana. That lava flow as well as subsequent lava activity buried Kalapana as much as 50 feet deep with lava. Satellite imagery of this area of Hawaii shows definitive lines of demarcation between ancient and recent lava flows.
Along the Kapoho-Kalapana road those lines of demarcation are evident. Ground coloration, foliage age, and abundance of structures can change within a matter of feet. One moment you might be driving on land that is generations old and the next moment you can be driving over a lava flow that happened within recent memory. Trees get destroyed, structures burn down, and cemeteries become covered. There are cemeteries in this area that are undocumented and remain covered by lava.
One cemetery on the Kapoho-Kalapana road that has been covered by lava is barely visible. Though family members of those buried have worked diligently to remove lava from burial sites, much of the cemetery is invisible due to lava and subsequent pioneering vegetation. Pioneer plants are those plants which grow within cracks and indentations of recent lava flows. Birds, other animals, and wind deposit seeds. If a seed takes root, it is considered a pioneer plant.
This cemetery near Kalapana stands on its own merits and it also is on this list of cemeteries to honor all those other cemeteries that have been erased from our history books due to lava flows and other natural events.
Large portions of The Big Island’s surface and 90% of Kilauea’s surface is less than 1000 years old. The island is in constant motion through geological plate tectonics. A Hawaiian geologist told me “you can spit on ground today that wasn’t there yesterday.” Cemetery documentation through words, images, and GPS coordinates is as important in Hawaii as anywhere else in the world. We never know when the next lava flow will completely obliterate a cemetery. Through documentation work of myself and many interested people the history of these cemeteries can be shared and retained despite natures reclaiming forces.
– The Cemetery Detective
Following a keen interest in cemeteries The Cemetery Detective has studied burying grounds from Hawaii to Maine, Europe, and throughout the United Kingdom. He instructs entrepreneurs how to start their own grave care businesses through his website: www.GraveCareBusiness.com
El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Towne San Diego was founded in 1849. Executions where held here.
El Campo Santo Cemetery – Sign
I visited Old Town San Diego on May 5. Cinco de Mayo was in full force and the loud cheers of scantly clad, button nosed, bleach blonde coed party goers accentuated the increasing buzz in my head of one too many margaritas.
Ahhh, but a little celebration is never going to keep me from exploring a nearby cemetery. In fact, the juxtaposition of a solemn place of remembrance with an active Cinco de Mayo street festival brought the need for a celebration of life in a cemetery to the forefront of my mind. As an occasional sun drenched, alcohol affected reveler stumbled into the cemetery an instant aire of dignity replaced the “woo-hoo” mindset. Drunk or not, we all know how to act in a cemetery.
El Campo Santo Cemetery was founded in 1849 and has a violent past. The hoards outside the gates enjoying their Jose Cuervo would never realize that executions were held in this cemetery. In fact, in 1852 Antonio Garra, a native tribal leader, stood at the foot of his grave as a firing squad laid sights on him and forced him to meet his maker. This is just one of many stories documented within the cemetery.
The graves in El Campo Santo are quaint and decorated. They are haphazard in their arrangement and the structures of their markers and enclosures follow no discernable pattern when taken as a single snapshot in time. This is a tiny cemetery but the markers likely only represent a fraction of the actual bodies that are buried here. Within the last several years, ground penetrating radar has been used to survey the cemetery. Many unmarked gravesites have been found within the cemetery and many more gravesites have been found buried beneath San Diego Avenue which was paved in 1942.
Next time you visit Old Towne San Diego, skip that second (or third, fourth, …) margarita and stroll a half block from the bars and clubs. You will find a beautiful 19th century cemetery that is much more part of this town’s history than the vapid, bleary-eyed beauties drinking themselves to an early grave.
El Campo Santo Cemetery
– The Cemetery Detective
Following a keen interest in cemeteries The Cemetery Detective has studied burying grounds from Hawaii to Maine, Europe, and throughout the United Kingdom. He instructs entrepreneurs how to start their own grave care businesses through his website: www.GraveCareBusiness.com
Price Chapel Cemetery (Cemetary) is defined by an overwhemlingly striking tree which greets (almost ominously so) visitors to this small cemetery located between Cleveland Tennessee and Chattanooga Tennessee.
Price Chapel Cemetery (Cemetary)
Many cemeteries we visit are defined by a single tombstone. A large obelisk, ornate carving on a single granite monolith, or a magnificient white bronze erection often is the defining feature in a cemetery and makes us say “This tombstone defines the cemetery.”
However, Price Chapel Cemetery (Cemetary) is defined by an overwhemlingly striking tree which greets (almost ominously so) visitors to this small cemetery located between Cleveland Tennessee and Chattanooga Tennessee.
Markers date back to the mid 1800’s to a time in Bradley County when the coming Civil War was not even a rumor. Unfortunately, progress is never ceasing and the area immediately surrounding Price Chapel is becoming overrun with car dealers and movie theaters.
The Tree Defines the Cemetery – Price Chapel Cemetery
Following a keen interest in cemeteries The Cemetery Detective has studied burying grounds from Hawaii to Maine, Europe, and throughout the United Kingdom. He instructs entrepreneurs how to start their own grave care businesses through his website: www.GraveCareBusiness.com
Charleston’s Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery is located on a slope nestled amongst rolling Tennessee hill on the extreme northeast Bradley County border less than 400 meters from the Hiawassee River.
Charleston Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery
The spring storms and tornados of 2011 devastated many areas of southeast Tennessee. As I scoured the Tennessee countryside on an unusually warm winter’s day cloud swirls screamed past and I wondered if I were soon to be caught in another spate of southern twisters. Charleston’s Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery is located on a slope nestled among rolling Tennessee hills on the extreme northeast Bradley County border less than 400 meters from the Hiawassee River.
I barely braved the torrents of rain sheeting toward the ground at 45 degree angles long enough to snap a few photographs. This is such a beautiful area of Tennessee, I wish I could have wandered around longer.
Gravemarker enthusiasts will like to know that the 5 known limestone gravemarkers in the country are located within the City of Miami Cemetery.
City of Miami Cemetery – Front Gate
Before tourning the Port of Miami, I decided to take a quick tour of a couple cemeteries that were near my hotel. The City of Miami Cemetery was a quick 1.1 miles away so I decided to walk the distance. It was a pleasant walk that allowed me to explore a few ecclectic shops and find a Miami diner serving plate sized portions of home-style cooking. If you are not interested in the 1.1 mile walk, a 15 minute bus ride will take you from the Bayside retail section of the Port of Miami to within a few minutes walk of the cemetery.
My initial impression of the cemetery was of the substantial fence enclosing grave plots, monuments, and many tropical trees. The cemetery was mosly tidy, the grass was manicured, and markers were mostly easy to read. I did find that there were a significant number of pedestrians using the cemetery as a walking path between 2nd Avenue and North Miami Avenue. I wasn’t bothered by them but many of them seemed to look at me suspiciously as I wandered the grave sites with my notepad and cameras.
The cemetery houses many of the original black American and Bahamian incorporators of the city. One of the United States’ first black judges is also buried there. There is a large memorial to the Confederate Dead as well as a Catholic section, a Jewish section, a Spanish-American War section, and a monument dedicated to Julia Tuttle – the Mother of Miami.
Gravemarker enthusiasts will like to know that the 5 known limestone gravemarkers in the country are located within the City of Miami Cemetery.
Following a keen interest in cemeteries The Cemetery Detective has studied burying grounds from Hawaii to Maine, Europe, and throughout the United Kingdom. He instructs entrepreneurs how to start their own grave care businesses through his website: www.GraveCareBusiness.com
Singleterry (or is it Singletary?) Cemetery is located behind a quaint white church tucked away in the North Georgia hills. I visited, the grass was growing long. Long grass is to be expected during a wetter than normal North Georgia summer.
Interestingly, this cemetery provides another example of divergence between a colloquial name and an officially registered name. Our records show that the official name is Singletary Cemetery. However, the cemetery sign clearly states that the name is spelled Singleterry.
Following a keen interest in cemeteries The Cemetery Detective has studied burying grounds from Hawaii to Maine, Europe, and throughout the United Kingdom. He instructs entrepreneurs how to start their own grave care businesses through his website: www.GraveCareBusiness.com
Corley – Paris, Arkansas – is a small family cemetery located in Logan County that is well maintained.
Corley Family Cemetery – Paris, Arkansas
On all of his travels, there are two stops The Cemetery Detective cannot refuse. The first, of course, is a cemetery. The second is a mountain. If there is a mountain within sight, The Cemetery Detective will climb it. In fact, The Cemetery Detective has challenged himself to reach the highpoint in each of the 50 states. He is halfway to his goal with 25 highpoints scaled.
The challenge of reaching a state highpoint is intensified when there is a cemetery within easy reach. Arkansas’ highpoint “Mt. Magazine” proved to be a fun highpoint to reach due to several interesting cemeteries along the drive to the base of the hike.
Corley Family Cemetery proved to be a plesant stop along Arkansas backroads. Corley – Paris, Arkansas – is a small family cemetery located in Logan County that is well maintained. Even within the envelope of a hot, humid, Arkansas summer, the plentiful shade trees and fresh colorful flowers made us glad we stopped long enough to view the gravestones before proceeding to climb Mt. Magazine.
Colorful Corley Cemetery
BTW, if you are interested in climbing Arkansas’ highpoint, the trail leading up Mt. Magazine’s 2753′ peak is an easy hike for most skill levels.
Following a keen interest in cemeteries The Cemetery Detective has studied burying grounds from Hawaii to Maine, Europe, and throughout the United Kingdom. He instructs entrepreneurs how to start their own grave care businesses through his website: www.GraveCareBusiness.com
