Black Pioneers Cemetery, Euharlee facts for kids
The Black Pioneers Cemetery in Euharlee, Georgia is a special place. It was used for burials from about 1830 to 1900. More than 300 people were buried there. For many years, people forgot about this cemetery. But in 2002, the Euharlee Historical Society helped save it. They stopped a building from being built on the site.
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Where is Black Pioneers Cemetery?
This historic cemetery is in Euharlee, Georgia. You can find it on Covered Bridge Road. It sits between the Euharlee Baptist Church and the Euharlee Presbyterian Church. Before 2002, this area looked like a simple patch of pine trees. It was covered with thick bushes and vines. Most people did not know it was a cemetery.
How the Cemetery Was Rediscovered
In 2002, there were plans to build something new on this land. That's when Mary Ellen Taff from the Euharlee Historical Society stepped in. She told city leaders that a forgotten cemetery was there. Mrs. Taff thought the last burial happened around 1900. This might be why the cemetery was forgotten for so long.
Many people from the community helped out. They volunteered their time and effort. They worked hard to clear away the thick bushes and vines. The cemetery area is about one acre in size.
After the clearing, Carlton Ethridge helped. He was in charge of cemetery preservation for the Etowah Valley Historical Society. He carefully found and marked the graves. Families like the Goodes and Godhighs also helped. These were two of the first Black families in the area. Their descendants confirmed that their family members were buried there.
On August 17, 2002, a special marker was placed at the cemetery. The Euharlee Historical Society bought this marker. It read: "Black Pioneers Cemetery Circa 1830-1900." This was all done to make sure these important Black pioneers and their resting place would never be forgotten again.
Why This Cemetery is Important
In the past, Black and white families often went to church together. This was before Black families started their own churches and cemeteries. Old church records from the nearby churches show that "colored" members were part of their congregations. This cemetery is a reminder of those early days. It shows where some of these early Black community members were laid to rest.
What You See at the Cemetery Today
Today, the cemetery marker has more details. It now reads: "Black Pioneers Cemetery, Circa 1830-1900, 333 marked graves were present in 2001." It also includes the names of two people known to be buried there. In 2007, a group of Eagle Scouts helped honor the site. They made many wooden crosses. Then, they placed these crosses throughout the cemetery. This helps visitors see where the graves are.
