Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard facts for kids
Coon Dog Monument
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| Details | |
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| Established | September 4, 1937 |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Type | Private |
The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard is a special cemetery in Colbert County, Alabama, USA. It's the only place in the world just for burying coon dogs. Key Underwood started it on September 4, 1937. He buried his own beloved coon dog, Troop, there.
This spot was chosen because it used to be a popular place for coon hunters. As of 2014, more than 300 coon dogs are buried in this unique graveyard.
To be buried here, a dog must meet three rules. First, the owner must say the dog is a purebred coonhound. Second, someone must confirm the dog was a real coon dog that hunted. Third, a member of the local coon hunters' group must see the dog's body. This makes sure only true coonhounds are buried here.
The Headstones in the cemetery are all different. Some are simple wooden or metal markers. Others are fancy marble stones, just like those for people.
History of the Coon Dog Graveyard
The cemetery began on September 4, 1937. Key Underwood buried his coon dog, Troop, in an old hunting camp. This camp was in a country area of Colbert County, Alabama. The closest town is Cherokee, Alabama.
Key Underwood didn't plan to start a cemetery at first. He just wanted to bury Troop, his hunting dog of 15 years, in a place they both loved. He buried Troop three feet deep. For a marker, he carved a message into an old chimney stone.
Other hunters soon followed his lead. When their own coon dogs passed away, they also buried them there. Slowly, this special cemetery grew. A statue of two coonhounds chasing a raccoon marks the entrance.
As mentioned, only purebred coonhounds can be buried here. They must have been used for hunting. Mixed-breed dogs or regular pet dogs are not allowed. This keeps the cemetery special for hunting coonhounds.
The grave markers show how much these dogs were loved. Some are simple, while others are very detailed. Many have special messages, like "He wasn't the best, but he was the best I ever owned." Famous hunting dogs are buried here too. One example is Hunter's Famous Amos, who was Ralston Purina's Dog of the Year in 1984. By 2014, over 300 dogs had found their final resting place here.
The cemetery was even shown in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. But in the movie, they pretended it was in a different part of Alabama.
Labor Day Celebration
Every Labor Day holiday, a big event happens at the cemetery. The Tennessee Valley Coon Hunter's Association hosts a gathering. This celebrates the cemetery's start on Labor Day in 1937.
The celebration is a fun time for everyone. It includes live bluegrass music and dancing. There's also delicious barbecue food. A "liar's contest" is a popular part of the day. People tell funny, exaggerated stories.
Admission to the event is free for everyone. However, donations are welcome. These donations help pay for the upkeep and care of the cemetery. In 2014, eight Redbone Coonhound puppies were sold at the gathering. The money from the puppies also went to help maintain the cemetery. Local politicians sometimes attend the gathering too.
