Garrettsville – 124 years ago, on April 8, 1897, a group of ladies founded the Garrettsville Ladies Cemetery Association (GLCA) Their purpose was to obtain funds to maintain and beautify the local cemeteries in cooperation with the Board of Cemetery Trustees. At that time, the Baptist cemetery, whose first burial was Josiah Garrett in 1805, had been around for 92 years. The cemetery was no longer being used for burials, with the final burial being that of Tyler Williams in 1886. In 1886, the Garrettsville Health Department declared the Baptist Cemetery “inadvisable to permit further burials.”
More recently the focus has been on the repair of markers and Mausoleums at the Baptist Cemetery. Many have fallen over, broken, faded and been discolored. So far, more than $8000 has been spent on the repairs of about 68 stones.
The Mausoleums have also had extensive work done. The Dunn Mausoleum has had more than $11,000 in restoration done with stones being replaced on the side and the front walkway areas. The Morris/North Mausoleum has had a tree removed out of the corner, along with repairs of the wrought iron fencing surrounding the area.
Even with the repairs made so far, the Baptist Cemetery is still in dire need of more repairs. At least 22 more stones still need work done and the mausoleum repairs are continuing as well.
With that being said, as one can expect, the money once in the GLCA account is quickly being depleted. New funds are needed.
The Baptist Cemetery holds many of the founders of our Village. John Garrett and his wife; Isaac Stowell, Garrettsville’s first Mayor; the Rudolph family, (Lucretia Garfield’s family); and many others who have plowed the way for the future residents, namely us.
On Saturday, October 2, 2021, you can learn the history of more than just these residents, but also tour downtown Garrettsville in another Mystery of Our History tour. As a way to raise awareness and raise funds for the GLCA, members of the James A Garfield Historical Society and the Garrettsville Ladies Cemetery Association have teamed up to introduce you to live characters portraying our past citizens from days of old.
Be sure to mark the date on your calendar. Stay tuned to our continuing series of stories in the Villager to learn more about the Mystery of Our History Tour and how you can personally donate to the Baptist Cemetery fund.
