Red Umbrella Project #2:  Guardian Angel

el senor

 

A neglected cemetery lies near the intersection of New Mexico 75 and 75, close to the town of Rio Lucio.  Front gates are often found in rural graveyards, but this one also has a rear gate -- for those quick escapes.

 

Rio Lucio, New Mexico

9.18.2017



a great whisperer

an even better listener

 

Located high on the mountain overlooking Madrid, the cemetery reflects the town's history.  Madrid started as a mining town, became a ghost town and then was "discovered."  Its mining shacks became residences for artists and others.  The cemetery has traditional gravestones from the 1920s but newer markers are more individual.  No one is quite sure of when Endious Self was born (1927 - 37?) but know he died in 2012.  The site is ringed with Corona beer bottles and a metal cowboy hat wreathed in barb wire shades Endious' resting place.

 

Madrid, New Mexico

9.16.2017

deja vu

 

The church Nuestra Senora de los Dolores in Manzano, founded 1824, has a scattering of graves in the churchyard including these twin iron angels.  The Salt Missions Trail makes an interesting day trip.

 

Manzano, New Mexico

eternal view

 

For many, the road only leads in -- not out.

 

Roaring Springs Cemetery

Roaring Springs, Texas

child to child

 

 

A child's grave is always sad but to find a tribute placed over 150 years after the death is poignant.  In 1858, the these three children--ages 7, 6 and 5-- died within months of each other  No wonder the parents erected a pillared monument with statues of the children within.  The Magnolia Cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, dates back to 1852 and the Battle of Baton Rouge.

 

Magnolia Cemetery

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

2.1.2017

a to z

 

Although azaleas don't grow in our part of Texas, it's still a popular street name, especially in country cemeteries.  You'll find Azalea next to Edelweiss.

 

Idalou Cemetery

Idalou, Texas

out in the rain

 

"Out in the Rain" is a fountain sculpture in the Oakland Cemetery of Atlanta. It is a replica of a sculpture by Galloway & Graff of Philadelphia, done around 1876, which may have been a copy of a sculpture exhibited in the Italian section of the United States International Exhibition of 1876. The Atlanta cast was made for $96.80 and was commissioned from the J. L. Mott Iron Works in 1913.

 

Oakland Cemetery

Atlanta, Georgia

10.25.2016


six feet under

 

An interesting morning spent at Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta's oldest burial ground with fine examples of Victorian funerary art.  It's the final resting place of both Confederate and Union soldiers, Georgia governors and mayors, novelist Margaret Mitchell and golfer Bobby Jones.  Conveniently  the "six feet under" restaurant serving cold beer is just across Memorial Drive.

 

Oakland Cemetery

Atlanta, Georgia

shadow crosses

 

The cemetery of St. Joseph's was established on the site of the original church about 1817.  Sometimes we're fortunate to have an hour after class before sunset to explore.  I especially like the Louisiana cemeteries, all whitewash and marble gleaming in the sun.

 

St. Joseph's Cemetery

Thibodaux, Louisiana

guns and babies

 

You have to wonder about the planning (or lack thereof) that positioned the military portion of the cemetery adjacent to Babyland. 

 

Masonic Cemetery

Trinidad, Colorado

8.20.2016



he wuz a good ole dog

 

May Family Cemetery

Tahoka Lake Pasture

Tahoka, Texas

allured to brighter worlds

 

Of course I visited the Bonaventure Cemetery when I was in Savannah in April (and yes, the statue from the "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" has been relocated to the Telfair Museum of Art).  However, the marker for Corinne Elliot Lawton is a haunting example of Southern Gothic.  Corinne died in 1877 and the story goes she drowned herself in the nearby river rather than marry a man other than the one she loved -- although her obituary cited a brief illness.  This marble memorial by Palermo and Corinne's legendary love story generate much interest.

 

 

 

Bonaventure Cemetery

Savannah, Georgia

4.20.2016

ola, ora and otis

 

The odds of triplets is about .01%, perhaps higher in 1909.  Otis and Ora did not survive the birth; Ola lived about two weeks. After 107 years, who still puts flowers on the grave?

 

Collier Cemetery

Bledsoe County, Tennessee

5.28.2016

eternal camping ground

 

During the Civil War, Chattanooga became an important target for both the Union and the Confederacy.  In 1863, the cemetery opened with the interment of casualties from the Battles of Chattanooga and Chickamauga, including nearly 1,800 unknowns.  Other early burials came from Athens, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina, and along the route of Sherman’s march to Atlanta.  In 1867, the site was officially designated a national cemetery. Chattanooga National Cemetery is the final resting place for seven recipients of the Medal of Honor. The cemetery also contains the remains of 108 World War II prisoners of war, from Germany, France, Italy, and Poland. 

 

/Chattanooga National Cemetery

Chattaooga, Tennesse



Worthington cemetery

 

As a frequent visitor to country cemeteries, I appreciate the amenity of a concrete block outhouse.  However, I still prefer to "water the wildflowers."

 

Worthington Cemetery

Bledsoe County, Tennessee

rest in peace

 

While looking for something else I came across this old photograph.  This is from what was probably the only roll of black and white film I ever shot!  It was for a class and was shot with my first SLR - a Pentax K1000. Many photo ops were available when I lived in Jacksonville, Alabama.  As you can tell, my interest in old cemeteries is long-standing.  The City Cemetery in Jacksonville is old, with many Confederate war veterans.  This lone gravestone for a child is sad - but at least it's sheltered by the ancient oak.

 

Jacksonville, Alabama

1984

twin spires

 

Throughout the IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) Cemetery, a handful of Spanish Colonial style mini-cathedrals mark gravesites.  More traditional markers, including Woodman of the World, fill the cemetery.  This Plainview Cemetery's oldest burial is the town founder in about 1880.  In this century, the cemetery received a Texas Historic Cemetery designation.  The utility poles replicate the skyward-bound twin spires.

 

IOOF Cemetery

Plainview, Texas

2.27.2016

through these gates

 

Ever wonder why cemeteries have gates?  Is it to allow or to deny access?  Who is being kept in or out?  Sometimes it's the cows.

 

Fluvanna Cemetery

2.20.2015

curb appeal

 

Most homes don't have the curb appeal of the Powell family crypt located in the Mountain View Cemetery.  The effect is definitely castle gothic. The lane with the crypts where Powell is interred is across the way from the monuments known as Millionaires Row.  He must be just on Rich Man's Row.

 



 

Mountain View Cemetery

Oakland, California

1.18.2015