A Walk Through the Evergreen Cemetery

There is another totally awesome burial ground in my town that I haven't mentioned yet. The Evergreen Cemetery, which is much larger than the ones I'm associated with, is located very close to both the University of Arkansas and our downtown entertainment district. Although Evergreen is close to the action, so to speak, it is a very quiet and peaceful place-- an historic oasis of tranquility graced with many shade trees, birds, red squirrels and many other delightful aspects of Nature. 

My original idea was to wait until fall before posting photos from this special place; but then, it occurred to me that the camera I've been using is borrowed and that the person loaning it to me might want it back before late October. So I decided to take a walk around this wondrous graveyard late this morning in order to showcase it as this week's regular blog entry and photo journey.

It was hard to decide which grave markers I wanted to use for this exhibit because truth be told, I could have stayed there all day finding unique and beautiful grave markers. This was the first one to catch my eye.

Some of you may remember the brick vaults that are undergoing restoration in the Walker Cemetery on East Mountain. This one is different in two ways: First, this type of crypt was common during the nineteenth century. The one pictured here however, dates to around 1945. Also, there is no cement slab covering the top; instead, the deceased is entirely bricked in. somehow, this particular crypt seems stronger than the ones I'm familiar with.

Pictured here is the largest marker in a family plot. While I don't know much about the McIlroy family, I do know that until just several years ago, there was a local bank named after them.

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture calls Judge Lafayette Gregg "One of the most enigmatic, if relatively unknown, figures in Arkansas history." Born in 1825, he is best known as an important figure in the location of the Arkansas Industrial University to Fayetteville. That institution later became the University of Arkabnsas.

Archibald Yell (August 9, 1797 to February 22, 1847) was both a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the second governor of Arkansas. His remains have been exhumed and relocated three times. Hopefully, Evergreen will be his final resting place.

 

Shown here is the grave marker of Sophia Sawyer, who was actually born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1792. Sophia arrived in the area around July 1, 1839 and almost immediately set about the task of founding the Fayetteville Female Seminary, which served as an educational facility for not just women of European stock, but Cherokee heritage as well.




 

 




This is just a small section of the cemetery facing south.

   

Finally, here's an interesting mix of monuments and smaller grave markers.








It had been a long time since I'd visited the Evergreen Cemetery. I think I should go there more often. I'll definitely go back there when autumn comes.
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