Memorial Day is the time to honor the country’s war dead, so why not do a little time traveling and go way back, like 165+ years?
I am always trying to think ahead when it comes to my blog posts and that’s not just because I don’t want to run out of blog fodder. I admit that it’s been a while since I posted about a walk taken the same day.
In today’s post, my meander happened in the aftermath of Memorial Day 2025 – you will see a compilation of photos taken on Tuesday, May 27th. The venue for this short walk was a very old cemetery in Trenton, Michigan called The Old Burial Ground and it followed a lengthier walk taken earlier at beautiful Elizabeth Park, which is just around the corner.
I’ve blogged about two different cemeteries in the Downriver area in the past, The Old Burial Ground and Oakwood Cemetery. Today I will focus primarily on The Old Burial Ground.
But first, a little backstory about this day ….
It was a gorgeous Spring day and tripping around a vintage cemetery was not on my agenda at all. I had spent a delightful morning at nearby Elizabeth Park where I went to photograph goslings, which are always plentiful in Spring. That day the goslings were so plentiful that as I walked along Elizabeth Drive, the only street on this island park, I practically needed a wide-angle lens to capture them all, as a gaggle of goslings ganged up on me, the eager photographer, happy to click away as this feathered barricade of young geese, most which were already in their teenager phase, came charging toward me. Click here if you missed that fun post which I aptly entitled “Gosling-palooza”. 🙂
I continued on my walk and, despite having taken a ton of shots of the geese, I was greedy as I still wanted more photo ops. I hoped to have another meet-up with some singing frogs like those I encountered the prior Spring following multiple days of torrential rain that converted low-lying areas in Elizabeth Park into makeshift swamps.
Well, I was striking out for sure: there were zero tiny, lemon-colored goslings and zero singing frogs to be found. Sadly, I couldn’t even scare up a seagull along the Boardwalk, nor were there feisty, quacking Mallards in the park’s canal, as the females were likely sitting on nests, hidden from humans and/or predators and their mates were not straying far from them. It was just too quiet to be honest. So, after strolling the Boardwalk, instead of heading to the car, I turned the corner and headed toward the cemetery, of course, an even quieter venue!
Hmm – it wasn’t Halloween, but this girl was feeling ghoulish.
This is the historical marker at the entrance of the cemetery which gives you a brief history of The Old Burial Ground.
As soon as I passed through the wrought-iron gates, which are always left open in daylight hours …
… I noticed many of the gravestones had flags placed near them. Trenton had just had their Memorial Day parade on the Saturday before Memorial Day. The parade route traveled down West Road, near The Old Burial Ground, but not along West Jefferson at 5th Street where the cemetery is located.
When I got online later that day, I learned that local veterans’ organizations and volunteers like the Boy Scouts had placed those flags around each veteran’s gravesite.
These are some of the gravesites with the flags.
I wonder if Caroline was a veteran? Was the flag holder misplaced somehow? Maybe Caroline was a dog that had a significant role in the Civil War? Lots of questions – but no answers from Google, the City’s historical site, or the Find-A-Grave site.
Yep, the crow and the raggedy tree were a bonus for this shot of the old headstones.
Although this veteran’s name is illegible, the emblem with a star on the flag holder denotes that the decedent, like many of the others, was in the Grand Army of the Republic for the Civil War.
This headstone and flag mark another Civil War veteran, Robert Clark, who lived from 1838-1882.
This is the final resting place for George Dart, birth and death dates unknown.
I was unable to determine this person’s name or date of birth/death.
There is no rhyme or reason as to how this cemetery is laid out, i.e. I don’t see families grouped together or veterans grouped together. Most of the deaths memorialized in the 44 grave markers were from the mid-1800s, with the earliest death date of 1849. This is the final resting place for Civil War veterans that not only perished in that conflict which lasted from April 12, 1861 until May 26, 1865, but passed away years later. It is possible that other veterans, not related to that four-year war, are buried here as well, since the inscriptions are difficult to read and gravestones have cracked and crumbled through the years.
Interestingly, Messrs. Kenneth and Fred Handley, whose deaths were in 1978 and 1984 respectively and likely were brothers, are the only burials in the 1900s. I couldn’t find obituary info for either of them. There are no burials after the Handleys.
Trenton’s early settlers and notable folks, like the City’s first doctor, are also buried here. These shots are mostly headstones because most of the flat grave markers were in very bad shape; some of the headstones were at such a precarious angle, I had to tilt to one side to take the photo. I won’t include all of the headstones, just a few.
There was one child who was William Dearborn “Little Willie” Alvord (1853-1855).
This was Libbie M. Dearborn (1836-1851), another person that did not have longevity in their favor.
I was interested that the word “sleeps” rather than “rests” is on this headstone. Emma was just 26 years old when she passed away in 1854.
This headstone was quite tilted and unfortunately, although I see “Mary Ida” I was unable to find out more info.
Speaking of tilted ….
Here’s the last gravestone, Mr. William Pardington who was born in Gloucestershire, England and died in Trenton, 64 years later in 1869.
I’ve visited here three or four times through the years, but I’ve never spoken to another soul while there. The cemetery is maintained by the City of Trenton.
After taking many photos during my meander at The Old Burial Ground, I decided to pop over to another vintage cemetery to see the display of flags for their war veterans. As I drove those six miles to Oakwood Cemetery in Wyandotte I hoped the pretty pink roses that were rambling along the cemetery’s black, wrought-iron fence at my last visit would be in bloom, but, as I neared the venue, my plan for a Civil War era-only veterans’ graves post, just like my car, came to an abrupt halt as there was construction going on and heavy earth-moving machinery blocked the entire street where the cemetery is located, so I was unable to get near.
But I’ll give you a brief history of that unique cemetery and share my last post from there taken in 2018, so you can take a peek at this unique venue, just click here.
When I searched for that post, I saw I visited in early June, so there were a few flags placed at the veteran’s respective gravesites – here is a photo from that post.
Oakwood Cemetery, a/k/a “Old City Cemetery” is located along the Detroit River and, as mentioned, just like the Old Burial Ground, it is the final resting place for many Civil War veterans as well as other veterans. There are 45 Civil War veterans buried here. One veteran named John Clark died February 22, 1827. Clark, a captain in the New York Militia, fought and was wounded in the War of 1812. It is John Clark’s family that established this cemetery back in 1869.
It is not just veterans buried here. In fact, this is the final resting place for around 1,800 people, including local dignitaries like mayors and state legislators, victims of historical epidemics such as consumption/TB, early settlers from the town of Wyandotte and even the seamstress for Henry Ford is buried here.
But here is where these two cemeteries differ. Unlike The Old Burial Ground, Oakwood Cemetery is maintained solely by Wyandotte Historical Society volunteers that work hard to preserve the dignity and once-beautiful grounds of this over-200-year-old cemetery. They routinely gather to do yardwork, as well as scrub the headstones to preserve them, even when, in some cases, the decedents’ names are barely legible.
It was not my usual type of stroll that was taken on May 27, 2025. The day was varied, from the peacefulness of Elizabeth Park to the loud gaggle of goslings, to the subdued nature of the Old Burial Ground.
Memorial Day is tomorrow and I hope you are having a safe Memorial Day weekend as we all remember the reason for this somber holiday.
Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge this week is “Babies!” (Animals, Birds, Humans). I’ll have my Council Point Park goslings to share with you in June. Instead, I’ll be linking to “Flower Hour” and “One Step at a Time” later this week.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
I’m so glad I read your post tonight, because it will be later tomorrow when I’ll check the Reader. The neighbors are coming for our annual cookout.
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And I’ll bet you had a wonderful time with your potluck and cookout event with your neighbors Anne – I am always envious of that camaraderie you have as you well know.
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I wish everyone had compatible neighbors. Mine are delightful.
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You are blessed to have them Anne!
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An interesting stroll through the cemetery, Linda. Old cemeteries are so interesting, especially when you read the headstones and their dates.
While we were in San Diego, we visited my mom’s memorial brick in the community square. We also visited Hans’ father’s grave. He passed in 1995. Of course we visited the commemorative plaques on a community memorial in Arizona. When my dad lived in Northern California, they lived close to a Masonic cemetery. It was always so interesting to see headstones from the 1800s, when people moved west for the California gold rush in 1849. Lots of children and babies lost then 😢
Enjoy your holiday tomorrow.
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Thank you Terri! I find this cemetery so interesting and last time I was here, while I paid attention to the headstones and grave markers, this time I thought I’d try to research to find out some back stories if I could. I sure wish I knew about Carolina as that really piques my interest. That would be interesting to see all the gravestones from those lost after the Gold Rush. That was a rigorous time to be traveling to seek your fortune (there’s gold in them thar hills!)
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Interesting to see all the old graves, and I was intrigued by Caroline as well. Good to see the war dead being honoured, as they made the ultimate sacrifice.
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I find this cemetery so interesting Debbie … the other one too and I wish I could have added those pictures and a walkthrough here as well. I went through the info I could glean from the Trenton Historical Society sites, but nothing on Caroline. I’m glad too when these war dead are honored for giving their life, whether on the battlefield or after and I heard a sad interview with a Gold Star mom whose son returned “whole in body, not in spirit” (her words) but took his own life short thereafter.
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My mother loved to walk old graves and would take me along as a child. It was fascinating. Often there were several wives with one man (assuming they died in childbirth). This morning I had my own gosling paloosa. Two families crossed the street to get to a stream. It was a perfect start to my day. Little fuzzy bundles with adults monitoring.
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I find these old graveyards very interesting as well and I follow a blogger who researches her relatives from way back and really delves into their past to write posts about them and, just like you said, there are often multiple wives along the way. Your morning sounds perfect Kate. There is nothing cuter than seeing a family of goslings or ducklings herded across the street with their parents monitoring them. We need more of those doses of cuteness that are only found in Spring!
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Well now I’m also curious about Caroline. Funny just having one name. We like to walk through old cemeteries too and read the stones. I like to wonder about who they were, what they liked….
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I am curious too Susan – why no last name? I poked around in the Trenton Historical Society sites to find out, as well as “Find A Grave” to no avail. It is interesting to wander through and read the inscriptions. I thought of you today as I heard a story about the volunteers cleaning the Normandy headstones with sand and your trip to Normandy Beach last year. So many lives lost and families never the same again.
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☹️
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An interesting post. I too enjoy strolling through old cemeteries.
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Thanks Pepper. It is a small graveyard (44) but has a long history. I am glad they continue to honor the Civil War vets.
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Miss Linda…………………………………………thank you for the news about the old cemeteries nearby us from long ago……………………………I always pared next to the old cemetery while Steven went for a haircut at The Captains Headquarters…………………………..yes i like looking up names and dates on very old gravemarkers………………….
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You’re right Ann Marie, that’s not far from The Captains Headquarters. I think when I did the post about the Wyandotte Oakwood Cemetery a few years ago, you said you had been there as it was not far from where you lived in Wyandotte in the past.
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A prefect post for today. I heard a few years ago too, that Boy Scouts, etc go and put flags on the tomb stones. I enjoy walking in cemeteries, they are rich history is there. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Monica – I thought it would be a good post for today too. I am surprised that there are not more crumbling headstones in this cemetery given how old some of the graves are. That’s nice the Boy Scouts and other volunteers do this for these veterans’ gravesites, so that their time served and giving their life is never forgotten.
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Great post, Linda. We help take care of two old cemeteries. One of them, like the one in your photos, has many fallen, leaning and broken stones. The old tombstones don’t hold up as well as the ones the ones that are made now. I always enjoy seeing the flags placed on the graves to honor their service.
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Thank you Rebecca! That is nice you and your husband help take care of two old cemeteries; I’m sure it is a lot of work to keep them looking good. They don’t have any volunteers at this cemetery that I know of, but the city takes care of the grass. At the other old cemetery they have some members of the Wyandotte Historical Society that take care of the tombstones as well as lawn maintenance. I have seen the flags in the holders before, but I never looked closely enough to realize that the emblem on the holder meant a Civil War veteran was buried there. I’m glad they still honor these military persons long after their service too.
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It’s amazing how legible many of the tombstones still are after all those years.
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Yes, it is Joni – tombstones and grave markers may be weatherbeaten, but still legible after 177 years!
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The Old Burial Ground would make a great set for a scary movie, with such a variety of markers askew and fading. It’s as if their occupants became tired of “resting” and decided to emerge. But it’s interesting to read about Civil War-era markers as far west as Michigan. We have a few in our town as well (much more prevalent in the South, of course). Back in the 1970s I was one of those Boy Scouts placing the flags ahead of Memorial Day. Midtown Los Angeles has a very large veterans’ cemetery. We Scouts would work in pairs, with one clearing the dirt from the flagpole hole (using a tool designed for the purpose) and the other placing the flag. Hadn’t thought about that experience for a long time until I read your post.
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Dave, I have to admit I’m not sure I’d want to venture here or the other vintage cemetery after dark. The other cemetery has a lot of very elaborate and tall tombstones and old, rather wild-looking trees. I’ve seen those flag holders before when I visited both cemeteries, but I’m glad this time I Googled to see what the emblem meant. That’s nice you did that service as a Boy Scout and I’m glad that the Scouts as well as other volunteers do this for the fallen vets from all the wars. I know it is really a large volunteer effort at Arlington Cemetery. My friend’s dad was buried there and she told me she watched the coordinated effort and it’s down to an art. It is important they are all remembered. I am always inspired by how the French take care of the grave markers of the American servicemen that died in Normandy.
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I guess all of your animal friends are entitled to a holiday too!
I loved looking at the old headstones, and am glad that some make the time to maintain them.
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You’re right JP – the critters will keep for another day. I was glad I learned about the Civil War veteran emblem, something I never knew about before and I am fascinated how they identify the people who “rest” or “sleep” there. I’m still curious about Caroline. One day I’ll learn about her.
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I find the Civil War so fascinating to learn about. This was such a great read! Thanks so much for sharing!
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Thank you Alex, I’m glad you found it fascinating. It is really a unique little cemetery, only 44 people buried here. I was interested to learn about the Civil War emblem identifying a Civil War veteran. I’m glad I was able to learn that info – what did we do before Google?
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I am amazed that you plan your posts a year in advance. Oh, to be that organized. LOL! I did enjoy the stroll through the cemetery. What a different time they lived in. I like reading historical nonfiction and sometimes fiction too.
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Well, that day I knew I could have used it for a belated Memorial Day post, but decided to just save it for 2026. I do have planned ideas in my head for Christmas posts too and Grandparents Day posts, but I know I’ll eventually run out of them. 🙂 It is an interesting cemetery for sure Ruth – 177 years old. Some historical novels can be very interesting and make you feel like you were a part of that era.
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