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[BigRedDog]

I personally would like to hear from people on any knowledge (heck, even rumors would be a start) of some of the real old and even "lost" cemeteries in Monroe County.  Many of these were family plots and some have just disappeared. 

I have been to the museum and read a pamphlet they have on this topic...   guess I should get back in there and look at it again. 

Anyone that has suggestions or requests for topics please post your thoughts...   and hopefully some contributions

[Skittelroo]

Interesting topic.  You may already know about this one?


Dec. 10, 2008 | 10:07 am
Anonymous Guest wrote:
There is a small one behind a strip mall in Monroe, Michigan (not sure of address. Boundries are S. Monroe St. to the East, Harrison to the West, Merkle to the South and W. 8th St. to the North). I worked at a bookstore there when I was a teen and didn't even know it was there until I looked over a fairly high wall and was surprised to see headstones!
(from:  http://www.roadsideresort.com/blog/paved-paradise-cemeteries-in-parking-lots )

[BigRedDog]

Interesting topic.  You may already know about this one?


Dec. 10, 2008 | 10:07 am
Anonymous Guest wrote:
There is a small one behind a strip mall in Monroe, Michigan (not sure of address. Boundries are S. Monroe St. to the East, Harrison to the West, Merkle to the South and W. 8th St. to the North). I worked at a bookstore there when I was a teen and didn't even know it was there until I looked over a fairly high wall and was surprised to see headstones!
(from:  http://www.roadsideresort.com/blog/paved-paradise-cemeteries-in-parking-lots )

We talked about that cemetery on here several years ago, but it's worth discussing some more Skittelroo...

That was the old Altenheim cemertery.  At one time the Altenheim Lutheran Church was in front of it where the parking lot for the Kroger store is now...   probably about where Wendy's is actually.  The Altenheim turnaround for the interurban was across Monroe Street "somewhere" (that's one I need help narrowing down). 

I don't recall the exact reason the church finally sold to the shopping center but then then went to the south and built the Lutheran Home we know today...  so maybe that was the motivation.

You can find quite a few photos and other info here:

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=altenheim%20ch&cp=23&gs_id=hl&xhr=t&q=altenheim+church+monroe&pf=p&newwindow=1&safe=off&sclient=psy-ab&oq=altenheim+church+monroe&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=291a89b119b2ab71&biw=840&bih=457

Here's an aerial view:

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=41.90715,-83.40686&z=17&t=H&marker0=41.90897%2C-83.40659%2C1.1%20km%20SW%20of%20Monroe%20MI&marker1=41.90841%2C-83.40717%2C1.2%20km%20SW%20of%20Monroe%20MI&marker2=41.90523%2C-83.40731%2C1.5%20km%20SxSW%20of%20Monroe%20MI

A and B mark the north and south end of the cemetery....   C is the Lutheran Home.

Btw...  I stood for a couple of hours right next to that wall one night pumping water onto the shopping center as it was burning

It was a big church for the time too...

[Skittelroo]

Perhaps this could be helpful:


The Monroe County Cemetery Study Is Available.  The County of Monroe published a listing of all the known cemeteries in Monroe county- private, public, religious and unknown. Interesting reading and a help to historians and genealogists. $30 per book, available for viewing at the main Museum. View the pdf file to find out how to order a copy. Note: the BOOKS ARE NOW IN STOCK. 

http://http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.htmlwww.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.html

[BigRedDog]

Perhaps this could be helpful:


The Monroe County Cemetery Study Is Available.  The County of Monroe published a listing of all the known cemeteries in Monroe county- private, public, religious and unknown. Interesting reading and a help to historians and genealogists. $30 per book, available for viewing at the main Museum. View the pdf file to find out how to order a copy. Note: the BOOKS ARE NOW IN STOCK.

http://http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.htmlwww.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.html

Very interesting...   I'm sure that's the same one I saw many years ago...   they didn't offer them for sale though.  The particular cemetery I was investigating at the time has a mere mention as being "lost" in a farmfield...   they know which intersection it was near but not even for sure which side of the road it was on.  I believe the same family owned the land on both sides of the road and that adds to the confusion!

I'll have to save my nickles and dimes and buy a copy to carry on my "road trips"

[Skittelroo]

Perhaps this could be helpful:


The Monroe County Cemetery Study Is Available.  The County of Monroe published a listing of all the known cemeteries in Monroe county- private, public, religious and unknown. Interesting reading and a help to historians and genealogists. $30 per book, available for viewing at the main Museum. View the pdf file to find out how to order a copy. Note: the BOOKS ARE NOW IN STOCK.

http://http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.htmlwww.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.html

Sorry.... the original link apparently didn't copy properly.   This should work:
http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.html


By following the link there was more info on the book (at http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/docs/Cemetery_Report_Promo.pdf).   I can't guarantee it is still available, since I found a used spiral-bound copy at Amazon for $100 !!   It appears to be about 148 pages. 

“"The History of Cemeteries & Family Burial Plots in Monroe County, Michigan, 1795-2002”.
Work began on this book over 23 year ago by Ms. Shirley Keehn of the Monroe County Historical Museum and her friend, Mrs. Frieda Kellie."
"These books are available from both the Museum and the Planning Department at a cost of $25.  If you have any questions regarding this publication or would like to order your
copy, please contact the Museum at 240-7780 or the Planning Department at 240-7375."

[BigRedDog]

Sorry.... the original link apparently didn't copy properly.   This should work:
http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.html


By following the link there was more info on the book (at http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/docs/Cemetery_Report_Promo.pdf).   I can't guarantee it is still available, since I found a used spiral-bound copy at Amazon for $100 !!   It appears to be about 148 pages. 

“"The History of Cemeteries & Family Burial Plots in Monroe County, Michigan, 1795-2002”.
Work began on this book over 23 year ago by Ms. Shirley Keehn of the Monroe County Historical Museum and her friend, Mrs. Frieda Kellie."
"These books are available from both the Museum and the Planning Department at a cost of $25.  If you have any questions regarding this publication or would like to order your
copy, please contact the Museum at 240-7780 or the Planning Department at 240-7375."

Well if it's $100 I might have to save up more than nickels and dimes

I knew Shirley and actually worked with her on one cemetery exploration right here in our area.  She passed away almost 2 years ago:  http://www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com/index.php/obituaries/details/405  She was very knowledgeable...   so glad she took the time to right down even some of the knowledge she acquired

The day I was at the cemetery she did have another lady with her so perhaps that was Frieda Kellie   I still have all my notes I took that day so I'll check it out when I run across them.