Posted on: Storey County Nv. Query Forum
Reply Here:
http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Nv/Storey/231
Surname: Langan
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Hi Ted
What is known as Gold Hill Cemetery or Gold Hill Masonic Cemetery, in Storey
County is actually what remains of five different sites that shared common
borders, much like those of the Silver Terrace in Virginia City. They were:
The Masonic Cemetery-Gold Hill
The International Order Odd Fellows Cemetery-Gold Hill
The Protestant Cemetery-Gold Hill
The City of Gold Hill Public Cemetery,
(after 1881 maintained by Storey)
and The Catholic Cemetery, Old Ground-Gold Hill.
Between 1859 and 1899, recorded burials for these sites total over 1,700
Gold Hills oldest known gravesite is a man from Missouri, Mr. Jessop,
son of Sarah Jessop, died May 29, 1859 at age 22.
A photo from 1873 shows two enormous marble arches on the north side, one
is the entrance to the Masonic Cemetery, other, entrance to the Odd Fellows
Cemetery. Each section contained its own winding paths that flourished
with flowers and shrubs, and sitting spots where families could picnic,
pay respect to lost loved ones and visit others who were
doing the same. Sites reflected the ethnic, social and culture boundaries
of the population.
Today, only 229 gravesites remain. Only 152 of those can be identified
by Surname. One remaining marker reads:
"In memory of
Annie E. Brennan
Died October 21 1867
Aged 6 yrs 10 mos 21 days"
For those of us who live in Gold Hill, the plight of our historic cemeteries
has been tragic. Though our loss to vandals and neglect are high, Gold
Hill faces a unique challenge created by an abandoned surface mine that
adjoins these sites and has caused their deterioration to accelerate.
The land is held in public trust, and managed by the Bureau of Land Management,
who is currently working with the Comstock Cemetery Foundation to save
the cemeteries of the Comstock. The Foundation will be conducting a Public
Plot-Pilot Demonstration" of rehabilitation and preservation involving
six gravesites. Four at the Silver Terrace and
two at Gold Hill.
To get information on cemetery walks and project participation in both
Gold Hill and Virginia City contact:
Candace Wheeler, President
Comstock Cemetery Foundation
PO Box 1172, Virginia City, Nevada 89440
(775)-847-0281
comstockcf(a)hotmail.com
Good Luck, Alexis