Potter's Field Cemetery - Ohio

This is an older post from one of my other blogs, but very relevant to this subject.

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Have you heard about the type of cemetery called "Potter's Field"? It is a cemetery where the county or city bury the poor, the homeless, the unknown, and the unwanted. There are no signs, no grave markers, and no headstones. I find this extremely sad. This particular cemetery is a 17 acre site dating back to 1906 and is the final resting place for over 16,000 people.

This is the entrance - no signs, just a broken fence.

 

Except for some flags and a couple of crosses, there are no markers whatsoever at Potter's Field.
 

  

There is only one marker of any kind at this cemetery and that is the memorial rock. It contains a Biblical passage: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

People have left things at the base of memorial rock ... an old wooden box, flowers, rocks, money, and a rosary.

I found out about this particular cemetery because my stepson attends St. Ignatius - a catholic all-boys school on the west side of Cleveland. St. Ignatius has a Pallbearer Ministry that handles the funerals of the poor and today they had a special service - the "2011 Potter's Field Prayer Service in Commemoration of All Saints and All Souls". It was a touching service and tribute to all those unknown, unclaimed people buried at Potter's Field.

Fr. Streicher saying the mass.

About 100 people attend this special service held at a forgotten, unknown place on a very cold October day. I'm sure all of us that were there will never forget this cemetery or this prayer service.

 

Thank you Fr. Streicher and St. Ignatius for introducing me to Potter's Field!

Have a blessed day.

~Susan

Memorial Day 2014

Today my husband and I visited a couple of cemeteries to pay our respects to the family veterans.

I personally want to thank every veteran who served our country in the past and those serving today!  I never take for granted that our freedom was not and is not free, there is a tremendous price paid for that freedom.


West Park Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio

Edward G. Caughey (1883-1936)

Edward served in the Quartermaster Corps during World War I from 1917 to 1919.

Edward is my second great uncle.

George S. Caughey (1846-1909)

George served in the Civil War for the Union in the 193 Pennsylvania Infantry in 1861.

George is Edward's father and my second great grandfather.

Maple Shade Cemetery, Independence, Ohio

Leonard Bonko (1927-2002)

Leonard served in the Army from 18 February 1946 until 14 August 1947.

Leonard is my husband's father.

Thank you for reading.  

~Susan

God Bless America!!!

Monroe Street Cemetery Gatehouse

Monroe Street Cemetery in Cleveland has been getting the gatehouse rebuilt thanks to the Monroe Street Cemetery Foundation and their tireless efforts convincing the City of Cleveland to repair the old city cemeteries.  Occasionally I drive by the cemetery and take photos of the progress of the deconstruction and reconstruction of the Gatehouse.  Here are some of my pictures of the progress.

19 May 2010

5 September 2013

16 October 2013

5 November 2013

9 January 2014

9 January 2014

27 February 2014

I will continue to update the photos until the gatehouse is complete and you can once again walk into the cemetery through the arch.  I can't wait!

When the weather warms up and you are anxious to get outside, stop by the Monroe Street Cemetery and see the newly built gatehouse.

~Susan

Your thoughts and comments are always welcome.