Pioneer Cemetery

{{ this is a re-post from earlier this year. but I thought it was very fitting for October. }}

If you are a reader of my blog, you know that I have a fondness for tombstones and cemeteries.

There are numerous small cemeteries to be found in this area should one look. Many are family owned and just as many have been forgotten and reclaimed by Mother Nature. But a few can still be seen. One of these is Pioneer Cemetery, located not far off the highway on Rich Mountain.

Back in November Hubby & I went to visit Pioneer Cemetery. There isn't much to see, most of the tombstones have long ago been claimed by the elements. The graves are now marked only by large stones. But the story behind this little spot is what took us there for a visit.....

This part of Arkansas is mountainous (by eastern standards - nothing at all like the Rockies). In fact we live in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, a mountain range which extends from central Arkansas to southeastern Oklahoma and the ONLY mountain range in the United States which runs east to west instead of north to south.

This area was settled in the early 1800's by hardy pioneer families. Life was hard. The nearest town was 80+ miles away.

As the story goes, a small group of pioneers settled in the Rich Mountain area, finding the climate mild and the soil rich with nutrients. Pioneer Cemetery was utilized by this group of settlers.

One winter, the mother of one of these families fell ill. Her three daughters nursed her as best they could. (The father is not mentioned in the legend - perhaps he was off fighting in the Civil War or maybe he was away getting supplies.) Late on a windy, snowy night, one of the daughters left the safety of their house to go to a local spring to get her mother some water. The daughter never returned. She was found the next day, high up in a tree, frozen to death. It was believed that she had been chased by wolves and had climbed the tree for safety. This poor young girl was buried in Pioneer Cemetery.

It wasn't long after her burial that people began to see a floating light in the woods near the cemetery. The sightings of the floating light soon gave way to an apparition of a young girl.

And to this day, it is said that on certain starless nights, a young girl can be seen seeking water to take home to her ill mother.

Hubby and I went to the cemetery in the afternoon and we saw nothing unearthly. Though the area did have a sense of disquiet about it. And a faint mist can be seen in the photo above.

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If you would like to read more about the Strange and Unusual of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and even some points beyond, then you might like these two sights ~

Strange State - Paranormal, Mysteries and More

On The Fringe

Let's Go For a Walk......

Hubby and I have been on several Haunted Walking Tours - from a small mining town in Colorado to the big city of New Orleans. We have enjoyed them all, but I think my favorite ones were when we went to cemeteries. I do so enjoy looking at headstones and pondering the lives of the people who are buried there.

Our Walking Tour today is of no cemetery in particular but we will see numerous tombstones, some quite unique. And we might even learn something along the way. (OH NO! Learn something? I can already hear the gasp from the crowd ~ don't worry, it'll be painless!)


As common burial grounds became prevalent, confusion about who was buried where was quite common. Thus emerged the tombstone - a record of a person's burial plot with the date of birth and death inscribed on the stone.


When immigrants came to America, carving tombstones was the last thing on their minds. So simple wooden markers were used. But the settlers soon discovered that the harsh weather of the New World quickly erased any trace of their ancestors. Crude, thin stones became the norm. By the mid 1600s deposits of sandstone were discovered. Because of its soft qualities, sandstone was easy to carve and so it was quickly adopted for use in headstones. But its soft qualities were also a detriment - allowing it to succumb to erosion over time. Slate and later marble were used for headstones. Both of these are harder and have withstood the test of the elements.



Early grave markers had only the pertinent information about the deceased. But as tools advanced, carvings became more prevalent. By the mid 1600s, religious beliefs influenced the ornamentation carved into headstones. Footstones also made an appearance around this time. These small flat stones were used to mark the 'foot' of the grave. They would usually only bear the initials of the deceased.


Epitaphs on tombstones have been around since man has had a written language. It is a way of memorializing the deceased's life. In America, epitaphs did not become common until the mid 1600's. It soon became quite popular to have a poem, Bible verse, or Latin phrase inscribed on one's gravestone. But like any fad, it eventually died out with very few tombstones today sporting such a personal legacy.

For more information on Cemeteries and Tombstones, check out these sites:

• Grave Matters
• Gravestone Conservation
• The Association for Gravestone Studies

Or this book, Tombstones of Your Ancestors by Louis S. Schafer


And please remember, when visiting any Cemetery be respectful. You never know who is watching!

More Cemetery Dirt ~ Giveaway Day 5

I promised you more tidbits about the two cemeteries that we visited in New Orleans. And here it is!

Lafayette Cemetery I ~ This cemetery is located near the Garden District of New Orleans. {The Garden District is a huge neighborhood of some of the best preserved Southern Mansions in the U.S. Most of which have immaculate landscapes.}


This cemetery features prominently in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicle books. A portion of the film, 'Interview With a Vampire' was filmed in this cemetery. This is a city owned cemetery and people of all races and religions were entombed here.



St. Louis Cemetery I ~ This cemetery is owned and administered by the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans. At the rear of the cemetery is a small section set aside for Protestants and within that was a tiny parcel for Blacks. St. Louis I was once larger than it is today. 'Progress' has encroached on the fringes of the cemetery with homes being built where once there were tombs. Even part of the Louisiana Supredome sits on what was once grave sites. {Don't worry! The evicted residents were re-interred within the current cemetery walls}


This cemetery is also featured in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicle books. And a part of the movie 'Easy Rider' was filmed here.


General Cemetery Dirt ~ The practice of above ground burial is of Spanish-French influence. Though it was quite practical in an area where the water table is usually only a matter on inches below the ground's surface. A Tomb's design was a matter of personal (family) preference, with the style being whatever was fashionable at the time of construction (and the size of the wallet as a determining factor).


Marble was the main construction material but brick (covered with plaster) is also commonly used. Few tombs made from Cast Iron have survived due to the humid climate and constant care that is required to maintain them to prevent rust. Wrought Iron (much sturdier than cast iron) fences and adornments can be found in both cemeteries. Law prevents a tomb from being opened less than one year and one day from the previous entombment - this is to aid in disease prevention.


I hope you have enjoyed your tour of just two of the numerous cemeteries that can be found in the Crescent City. So until tomorrow...
"Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the Hearts of Men....."

St. Louis Cemetery I ~ Giveaway Day 4

Well, you know us.... We couldn't visit just ONE Cemetery while in New Orleans.

We also went to St Louis Cemetery I. It is situated only one block away from the French Quarter. And has been in continuous use since its formation.

Covering only one city block, it is the resting place of over 100,000 dead. This cemetery was not laid out with any amount of symmetry and the paths between the tombs can be a maze.

Many notable New Orleanians are interred here including the renowned Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau. Who is believed to be in the Glapion Family Crypt.


Visitors will leave small gifts for her and the crypt is covered with hundreds of rusty X's. It is believed that marking an X on Marie's tomb will ensure that the believers' wishes will come true.

Near St. Louis Cemetery I is the oldest surviving church in the city of New Orleans, Mortuary Chapel. It was built in 1826 as a burial church for the victims of yellow fever. It is now called Our Lady of Guadalupe and is the official chapel of the New Orleans Police and Fire Departments.

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More juicy tidbits tomorrow about the cemeteries of New Orleans!

Same Time, Same Station! See Ya Then!

Lafayette Cemetery I ~ Giveaway Day 3

Of all the places I've visited, New Orleans is one of my favorites. Specifically the French Quarter. The air is thick with charm, ambiance, and history. And what would a visit to New Orleans be without a trip to at least one cemetery?

Lafayette Cemetery I is one of the oldest cemeteries in New Orleans. Built in what was once the City of Lafayette, the cemetery was officially established in 1833. The area was formerly part of the Livaudais plantation, and that square had been used for burials since 1824. In 1852, New Orleans annexed the City of Lafayette, and the graveyard became the city cemetery, the first planned cemetery in New Orleans.

Yellow fever (a mosquito born disease) struck New Orleans hard in the 1800's. In 1841, 241 victims of yellow fever were buried in Lafayette Cemetery. In 1847, 3000 people died of the disease and at least 613 were interred there. The worst outbreak occurred in 1853 with more than 8000 people succumbing to yellow fever and bodies were often left at the gates of Lafayette Cemetery.

Wall vaults, or "ovens" line the perimeter of the cemetery here. A Family would own only one (sometimes more, if they were wealthy enough) vault.

When a family member would die, the vault would be opened up and the old remains pushed to the back of the tomb and the new body interred. The name of the newly deceased would then be inscribed at the bottom of the list of names. It is not unusual to see dates spanning over 150 years on the slabs covering the vault openings.

Brigadier General Harry T. Hays of the Confederate Army is buried here.

Cemeteries and grave sites were not looked upon as dreary, morbid places back in the 1800's. Quite often an area would be planted with grass and maybe a shrub or tree would be added so that a nice 'picnic area' would be created. The Family would often pack a lunch and go spend the day there - much like we use a park today.

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More tidbits and trivia about Lafayette Cemetery I later in the week.
So DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL!

Cemeteries & Epitaphs ~ Giveaway Day 2

My fondness for cemeteries, tombstones and epitaphs began when I was very little. My Mother, a Genealogist, would take me with her when visiting old family homesteads or grave sites. To this day I love to stop at cemeteries and wander around - viewing the old headstones, reading the epitaphs and pondering the lives that the people might have led.

Morbid?? Some may say so. But I think not. I find it very interesting. A lot can be learned about an area of the country by the cemeteries that are located there.

I'd like to share with you some epitaphs that my sister, Becky sent to me awhile back. Thanks Becky!!

Browsing Old Cemeteries

A truly Happy Person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

And, one who can enjoy browsing old cemeteries...

Some fascinating things on old tombstones!

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Harry Edsel Smith of Albany , New York :

Born 1903--Died 1942.

Looked up the elevator shaft to see if thecar was on the way down. It was.

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In a Thurmont , Maryland , cemetery:

Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up and no place to go.

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On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in

East Dalhousie Cemetery , Nova Scotia:

Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102. Only The Good Die Young.

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In a London , England cemetery:

Here lies Ann Mann, Who lived an old maid but died an old Mann.

Dec. 8, 1767

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In a Ribbesford, England , cemetery:

Anna Wallace

The children of Israel wanted bread, And the Lord sent them manna.

Clark Wallace wanted a wife, And the Devil sent him Anna.

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In a Ruidoso, New Mexico , cemetery:

Here lies Johnny Yeast... Pardon me for not rising.

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In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania , cemetery:

Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake.

Stepped on the gas instead of the brake.

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In a Silver City , Nevada , cemetery:

Here lays The Kid.

We planted him raw.

He was quick on the trigger

But slow on the draw.

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A lawyer's epitaph in England :

Sir John Strange.

Here lies an honest lawyer, and that is Strange.

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John Penny's epitaph in the Wimborne,

England , cemetery:

Reader, if cash thou art in want of any,

Dig 6 feet deep and thou wilt find a Penny.

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In a cemetery in Hartscombe , England :

On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went out of tune.

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Anna Hopewell's grave in Enosburg Falls , Vermont :

Here lies the body of our Anna,

Done to death by a banana.

It wasn't the fruit that laid her low,

But the skin of the thing that made her go.

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On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket , Massachusetts :

Under the sod and under the trees,

Lies the body of Jonathan Pease.

He is not here, there's only the pod.

Pease shelled out and went to God.

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In a cemetery in England :

Remember man, as you walk by,

As you are now, so once was I

As I am now, so shall you be.

Remember this and follow me.

To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone:

To follow you I'll not consent.

Until I know which way you went.

Tombstones, Graveyards, and the Grim Reaper

That is the HAGS theme for this week, October 5 - 11. How creepy is that! Be sure to check out all the wonderful creations from this group on EBay.





















Here is a picture of a Fairy Door that belongs to the Grim Reaper. Sorry this Fairy Door has already been purchased.





And here is another Fairy Door entitled The Crypt . It too is sold.



But here is a Fairy Door which I made especially for this week's theme. It's entitled Spook Night. It is available on eBay.

Happy Haunting!