YUCCA CEMETERIES DOT OWENS ROAD BACK COUNTRY - Small Cemeteries Hold Many Children

(03/12/2024)

Yucca covers tiny remote cemeteries, with stone about love

By Bob Weaver

Over the years we have visited most of the 200 or more cemeteries in Calhoun, with some not a matter of record.

We visited two more, meandering off Munday Road (Industry) onto the far reaches of Owens Road, winding up on a primitive stretch that leads to the Straight Creek area along a remote section of the Little Kanawha River.

The small Monroe and Stewart cemeteries can not easily be discovered, the woods have taken over the plots, and covered by dozens and dozens of Yucca plants.

Jake Null surveys remote cemeteries filled with deceased children

A short distance away is historical swimming hole low-water Munday Beach and "County Line Rocks" on the Calhoun-Wirt line of Little Kanawha

When the tradition of placing Yucca plants in rural cemeteries started, at least 150 years ago, maybe because they are hardy and produce a beautiful flower.

Perhaps the most notable feature of the two cemeteries, there is large number of children that died at an early age.

Some of the names connected to the cemeteries in addition to Monroe and Stewart - Riddle, Jones, Tallman, Hoffman and Lanham.

Marker has initials only with many rock stones dotting cemetery

Stewart Family buried in remote cemetery