Cemeteries Galleries

Ferndale Cemetery : In September 2009 I visited Ferndale Cemetery in Ferndale, CA. It is a fascinating cemetery in several different ways. First, it is the more-or-less typical 19th century cemetery where the town's early settlers and founding fathers are at rest, and thus provides a vivid connection to history. Second, because it was established on such steeply sloping terrain, it presents a very unusual aspect as well as (for those hardy enough to make their way to the top of the hill) spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. Third, in dramatic contrast to the Victorian mourning conventions of the 19th century graves, newer graves in the cemetery show us a completely different perspective on grief and commemoration rituals--highly personal, informal, homemade, cluttered and messy, and unique. I like cemeteries, although I am no expert, and visit as many as I can. I'm sure I have never seen a collection of graves quite like these.

Ferndale Cemetery

In September 2009 I visited Ferndale Cemetery in Ferndale, CA. It is ...

Updated: Oct 30, 2009 10:38am PST

West Point Cemetery : West Point Cemetery is a small Oregon pioneer cemetery just north of the town of Coburg. Its inhabitants include some of the founding families of Coburg, as well as some relatives of Joaquin Miller, a well-known writer who was a contemporary of Mark Twain and grew up in this area. It is a typically peaceful small country cemetery, idyllic even though it is barely a stone's throw from Interstate 5. I visited the cemetery on August 12, 2009, with my friend Jo-Anne who used to live in Coburg and knows a lot about the history of the area. The pictures were taken with my little point-and-shoot Canon.

West Point Cemetery

West Point Cemetery is a small Oregon pioneer cemetery just north of t ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2009 8:39pm PST

Eugene Masonic Cemetery : The Eugene Masonic Cemetery (Eugene, Oregon) was established in 1859. The settlers who laid out the cemetery brought with them from the east the concept then called the Rural Cemetery Movement. The graves were placed among scenes of great natural beauty and visitors were encouraged to stroll there as if in a park. Here are buried Eugene F. Skinner, the city's founder, and many other founding fathers and early pioneers in the area. The cemetery sits on a hill top in east Eugene. It is filled with majestic Douglas firs and other trees, as well as more than 65 native plants such as Oregon grape, thimbleberry, Oregon iris, and snow berry. The flowers grow profusely over and between the grave sites. Unfortunately, in an all-too-familiar story, over the years the cemetery has suffered from neglect and vandalism. In recent years the Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association has been working to restore and protect this historic treasure. Both the cemetery and the Hope Abbey Mausoleum are on the National Register of Historic Places. I took these pictures on February 14, 2009, the 150th birthday of the State of Oregon. The day was cold, dark, and showery so conditions were not the best for photography, and I was using a camera of modest capabilities. But I wanted a record of having been at this important place on this important anniversary in our state's history. I have added a second batch of pictures taken on April 24, 2009. The weather was not much better but I was using a different camera.

Eugene Masonic Cemetery

The Eugene Masonic Cemetery (Eugene, Oregon) was established in 1859. ...

Updated: Apr 26, 2009 9:42am PST

Ft. Madison, Iowa cemetery :

Ft. Madison, Iowa cemetery

Updated: Jan 14, 2009 10:56pm PST

Tyrone Cemetery : This little country cemetery in SE Iowa is near the town of Talleyrand, which really doesn't exist any more and is not on most maps. Some ancestors of mine are buried here but I would like visiting the cemetery even without that interest. It sits serenely in the midst of the lush Iowa cornfields. These photographs were taken in October 2008.

Tyrone Cemetery

This little country cemetery in SE Iowa is near the town of Talleyrand ...

Updated: Jan 14, 2009 10:47pm PST

Columbia Cemetery : Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, Missouri is a beautiful and idyllic example of the 19th-century cemeteries that enrich our sense of history and continuity throughout the country. It was established in 1820 and thus is about as old as the city of Columbia itself. It is still possible to purchase lots in Columbia Cemetery although the majority of burials take place in the newer cemetery on the other side of town. However I don't think one could find a more peaceful and dignified resting place than this.

Columbia Cemetery

Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, Missouri is a beautiful and idyllic examp ...

Updated: Jan 14, 2009 7:31pm PST

Bellefontaine :

Bellefontaine

Updated: Jul 16, 2008 2:25pm PST