Abandoned Cemetery: Our Lady of the Pillar (old section)

Our Lady of the Pillar (aka Nuestra Señora del Pillar Cemetery) is not completely abandoned, in comparison to so many other old cemeteries … It is made up of two distinct sections; the front (upon entrance) holds new internments and is still in active use. This portion is in excellent shape and appears to have a regular caretaker. But as one wanders farther back in exploration, a beautiful yet forgotten portion of this cemetery is uncovered which holds many early residents of Half Moon Bay. There is such a difference in condition of the front (new) and back (old) grounds that one would think it were two separate cemeteries. While I am unsure when Our Lady of the Pillar was opened, I know it became one of the main internments for Catholics after the closure of Pilarcitos Cemetery in 1923.

There is no regular caretaker for the older sections of this cemetery and as I understand it, the lawn and weeds are cleaned up 1-2 times per year (likely by a volunteer- the church is still active). It is overgrown with weeds and riddled with gopher holes, scattered garbage, broken bottles, and silk flowers that are filthy and years old. Many headstones and footstones are broken, have fallen face down (so that the names are not visible), and missing markers. Many headstones have been vandalized. The older section also contains a small area exclusively for baby graves as well as a potters field section; they are both up a hill which is difficult to navigate through due to overgrowth. Most graves in the PFS are unmarked though many were interned here between 1910-1950.

I stumbled across this cemetery while doing paternal genealogy research. My Father's side of the family migrated to Half Moon Bay/San Gregorio when it was known as "Spanish Town" (as many Puerto Rican families did at the time being that fieldwork was plentiful)and therefore I presumed many unknown ancestors would be laid to rest in HMB and it was in this cemetery so far I have found one so far-Joaquin Muniz. As you can see from the photo, his headstone appears to have been vandalized.

Slave Cemetery Dating Back to 1898 Just Discovered

Pittsylvania Co., VA - Officials have been working for months to develop the Berry Hill Mega Park in Pittsylvania County. but now, it looks as though they'll have an extra project to work on.

A resident has discovered a large slave cemetery on the property. They believe there are thousands of graves there, some dating back to 1898.

We spoke with one of the ancestors, Cedrick Hairston, assistant principal at Chatham Middle School. We called him Wednesday to to tell him what we knew and he was so surprised, he met us at the cemetery and he told us he had chills. Hairston knew his ancestors were buried somewhere on Berry Hill Road. "We knew that it existed we were just having a hard time in the location." He never imagined, he'd be walking through the cemetery. "It brings mixed emotions to think of your ancestors."

Some graves were marked with stones. Others, just depressions in the ground. The entire graveyard was hidden by woods.

William Gosnell says he found this cemetery eight years ago. "It took me a week of walking back and forth to locate the cemetery." He was asked by a friend and descendent, who has now passed, to keep it a secret. "She told me not to tell anyone where it was at because she was afraid that people would go in there and disturb it," Gosnell said. He kept his lips sealed until two months ago. "The reason that I told people was simply because I knew they were gonna try to develop this area and if they did there was a possibility that the cemetery might be right in the middle of it," Gosnell said. That's when Gosnell says he got in touch with Sonia Ingram with Virginia Preservation.

County officials say this site will be protected. Their plan is to map it, plot it, and protect it some of which they've already started.

Abandoned Cemetery: White Oak

White Oak is located behind old White Oak Meeting House on KY 152, .25 miles from US 27 and near the end of Fred Day Road. As far as I can tell, there are only two tombstones there: Mary Mack (1855-1936)and Minnie Mack(Sept. 7, 1899-Oct 12 1939). There are probably more burials here but perhaps not; being that the two women passed a few years apart from each other, maybe the family moved.

I wish I knew more about the White Oak Cemetery...Being the Garrard County historical buff that I am, I will be doing a little more research on this cemetery and women on my next visit. I'll add updates as I get them

Photographer: Yvonne Lay Logue

Head(stone) Scratcher of the Month: Headstone Humor