Well on a recent outing I was told that the cemetery in question had it's old grass burned off and was going to be visible for a few short weeks so on the same day we photographed the old Pleasant Grove school we took a drive further South to check it out. We discovered that the grass was all gone and the markers were finally visible! So I sent Tom and Lil' Nick up the hill to snap some photo's while we still could.
There's no sign identifying the cemetery but there Is a weathered wooden sign proclaiming this to be the "Camp Grove Prairie Preserve". So while the name still eludes me the markers do not. Perhaps one of my followers can provide more information? Until then, enjoy these updated shots.
I'm guessing this is the old cemetery off of Route 40 on County Road 400E near Speer. I also visited it last year in its "natural" state and found it fascinating.Good to see it has some upkeep,I kind of wondered....
ReplyDeleteOld cemeteries contain some of the last and best vestiges of plants that were here when Illinois was settled - like living museums. So-called upkeep is often destructive to the native plants allowing other invasive plants to dominate - and many interesting and beautiful native plants are lost.
ReplyDeleteThis is an area that normally has native grasses growing around it. They burn it off once per year and then allow it to regrow naturally
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