Wanderings- Evergreen Cemetery

Anchor gravestone. Daniel & Clara Mitchell.

Evergreen cemetery in St. Paris, Ohio is another destination on the Haunted Ohio map. There is said to be a gravestone that glows. It belongs to a member of the McMorran family. We were not sure as to which one was the purported stone and there are a lot of McMorran's. The cemetery was established in 1841 on McMorran land. The family sold the land to the town in 1877. Some say the glow is caused by a phosphorescent fungus or lights from the town. On this particular day we visited during mid day and we had a lovely walk. For a small town there are some beautiful monuments with striking carvings and it is beautifully kept.


The anchor stone is the monument for Daniel (1844-1893) and Clara Mitchell his wife (1860-1951).
Anchors symbolize hope of the soul. The ivy growing upon the base stands for immortality and fidelity. As it clings to the stones it represents friendship and affection. The piled rocks represent stability, strength and the couples probable relationship to their God. There is also a carving of philodendron leaves on the left bottom corner which was a popular houseplant and it is more of a
decorative element.



















Tree Stone grave. Mary White.

I am personally fascinated by these Tree stones as they are called. This cemetery had a number of
beautiful examples including one that was the tallest that I have ever seen but unfortunately was unable to get a good photograph of do to the light and position. This one though has a lovely potted Calla lily plant carved into the base. This was the grave of a Mary Ann Pence White (1832-1891) wife of  James White. She was 59 when she passed. The tree stones were popular amongst the Woodmen of the World, an insurance company/fraternity similar to other groups of the day. Stones were actually provided for its members. The stone symbolizes the commonwealth and equality. You were not forgotten. This one is relatively simple but I love the potted lily which stands for beauty and marriage. Some have all sorts of symbols and greenery or flowers, birds and animals.



This country cemetery was a real gem. You never know what you will find when you go wandering.

Wanderings- Hills Cemetery

Entrance Gate to Hills Cemetery.

All of my life I have been visiting cemeteries. As a child I grew up in New England and my Mom had us out there researching genealogy, doing grave stone rubbings (when you still could), and learning about history. I love the old stones, the symbolic carvings, the atmosphere.  I have visited graveyards from Coast to Coast.

So imagine my delight when a friend recently purchased a map called Hidden Ohio, a guide to all of the haunted sites, big foot sightings, strange creatures, and ancient Native American Indian sites. We have been out exploring most weekends since. The exploration this weekend took us to the tiny town of Thackery, Ohio to Hills Cemetery. Off of State route 55, you take Creek Road North of town and the cemetery is quite a ways down in a wooded area.
                                                                           

We both experienced a very heavy feeling upon entering the cemetery. We spent some time walking
around, many of the stones are unreadable with a heavy mold. A lot of stones are just worn down and
broken. The cemetery is supposed to be haunted by a young girl that was brutally murdered here at the bottom of the hill in the 1970's.

An infant daughter of F & E Kite, Died 1887.

I came across this stone laying on the ground. The infant daughter of the Kite family. It says, "When the trumpet sounds, the dead shall rise." The only history I could find about the cemetery stated it was circa
1830 but I know I saw a few graves from the early 1820's.

Gravestone with Lamb carving.

 

        On our way out I couldn't resist taking a picture of the signs shadow on the road. Off to another.

Shadow of Hills Cemetery gate.

Spring has Finally Sprung!

This was my first winter in Ohio and it was considerably different from winters in the California Mountains. They don't get nearly the quantity of snow that we did, though you would think they did by their response to even 2"-5" of the white stuff. They freak out!
The major difference is the study in grey. Grey sky, grey trees, grey everything. In California you have snow and then the sun comes out and the contrast is startling between blue sky and the whiteness of the snow. The other difference is the bitter cold. Many days of negative temperatures with the wind chill and a biting wind. When you open the door for the dog and she stops dead in her tracks and turns around and runs back to the sofa you know it is cold.
Now we are in the last tango throes of winter and spring. One day it is warm and sunny and the next cold and grey once again. Then the next almost balmy and you sit outside with no coat and start plotting the garden only to have your dreams dashed the next day once again! The dance.

Winter Aconite.


The other day we stopped in at Wegerzyn Park and much to my surprised eyes were patches of bright yellow! My heart skipped a beat, at last a sign of Spring! These little beauties were spreading out here and there. They have been cleaning up the gardens and preparing for Spring.

Snowdrops.



A few crocuses were out as well. Lovely little purple flowers.
In the yard at home Naked Lady lilies and various bulbs are just peaking their foliage above ground.
Not too much longer and Spring will be here to stay. I can't wait.