The following is a follow-up message from Patricia Dunn re the process of
designation as a historic site for old (but necessarily "unique")
cemeteries. Some of you may be interested in this information.
Lois
-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia Dunn <patd(a)proaxis.com>
To: Lois Mauk <LawOfficeInformationSystem(a)worldnet.att.net>
Date: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 2:58 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: [INPCRP-L] Old Pleasant Hill Methodist Cemetery in
Hendricks Co., IN
Dear Lois:
I will try to answer some of your questions and doubts. I have been told
that most cemeteries wouldn't qualify and was discouraged. But, there is
evidence that it can be done. The Lebanon Pioneer Cemetery is one of about
4 on the Register from Oregon. There is a National Register Bulletin #41
(pub. 1992) that outlines the procedure. Elisabeth Walton Potter, one of
the authors of this bulletin, is from Oregon. She was the coordinator of
National Register nominations for the Oregon State Historic Preservation
Office. The University of Oregon at Eugene has as part of their curriculum
a class on "Preparing a Nomination of a Historic Property to the National
Historic Register". I sat in on this class as I had worked as a volunteer
for the instructor. Two students did the actual preparation of the
nomination. I helped with the research which was quite extensive. I am a
member of an Oregon Landmarks Commission. There were a number of criteria
used for eligibility to the register. Some of these were: the majority of
the persons interred there were Pioneers of the Oregon Trail. One was a
Territorial Governor of Idaho. One was the first preacher for the German
Baptist Brethern in the West. Another was the fact that many of people
buried here contributed to the development of Lebanon and Linn County,
Oregon. Some of their projects were the Santiam Wagon Road; canal system
developed to provide power for industry, a source of water for another
city, Albany, and transportation of goods. One of those interred here was a
member of the Oregon Legislature. He was also a member of the writers of
our State's Constitution and as acting President of the Legislature, cast
the deciding vote that determined that Oregon would be a "free" state.
Some of the markers were quite unique. One for instance, bears a engraving
of a covered wagon, oxen and the driver. So you see, it is more than just
an "abandoned cemetery". Classification as an abandoned cemetery actually
helped, in a way. The integrity was intact except for the vandalism as the
burials ended by the 1920's with a rare interment in 1938 so all were over
50 years old.
You can get a copy of the nomination and Bulletin #41 by writing to The
National Register of Historic Places, Interagency Resources Division,
National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127.
I would be happy to answer any of your questions if I can. Or, at least,
steer you in a direction where you can find your own answers.
Jeanne Robinson, Director of the OCHA, has contacted you. She has been
very active in getting legislation passed to protect our pioneer
cemeteries. She is very familiar with the Pioneer Cemetery. She and I
compiled the book "The Lebanon Pioneer Cemetery" which may be available at
the Allen County Library. We are quite proud of this publication. There
are copies at the New York Library and at the Cook Co. Library in Chicago.
Thanks for responding to my email. Pat Dunn
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Dale Drake <ddrake(a)iupui.edu>
>To: INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
>Date: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 9:05 AM
>Subject: [INPCRP-L] Old Pleasant Hill Methodist Cemetery in Hendricks Co.,
>IN
>
>
>>I found this interesting - that a cemetery was placed on the National
>>Register. I've been to National Register workshops where it is made
*very*
>>clear that cemeteries don't qualify, unless they're
very special. I
>>believe Crown Hill is one, and cemeteries such as Arlington in Virginia
or
>>Gettysburg would also qualify, but not the average abandoned
pioneer
>cemetery.
>>
>>If anyone else has experience putting cemeteries on the National Register
>>please share that with us.
>>
>>Dale Drake
>>Morgan Co. History & Genealogy Assn.