Well, in the first Friday post since we declared that Fridays are our update day, I will do a little bit of catching up so we can get on to the fun part of life, the universe, and everything.

The entrance sign

Ever wonder what a cemetery under construction looks like? How does one go about building a cemetery, anyway? I mean, most cemeteries have, y’know, kind of been around for awhile. This isn’t an Ohio cemetery, but Headstoners must be flexible and go wherever the headstones may call! Well, while on our Topol trip (yeah, I know, February–I’ve been busy, okay?), we were driving through good old Pennsylvania when we saw signs reading “NATIONAL CEMETERY OF THE ALLEGHENIES!” So we thought, hey, why not? Check-in time isn’t forever from now. So we got off the jolly old highway, followed the “orange detour” signs, whatever that is, and arrived at 292 acres of . . . kind of nothing.

Rows of stones

See, the NCA was only dedicated like almost 3 1/2 years ago. Its first burials took place in August of 2005. It is one of the newest National Cemeteries . . . and now I’m just basically quoting the Wikipedia page. You can check it if you want–http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cemetery_of_the_Alleghenies. I’ll get on to the good part! Although now the Wikipedia page tells me something I didn’t know–that the cemetery was “constructed” on farmland and contains “a small farm cemetery with graves dating to the late 18th Century”–dang! Didn’t know that when we went there, or believe-you-me we would’ve scoured that. But 282 acres is a lot to search when like half of it is “Restricted Area! No entry!”

The columbaria

The columbaria from the side

Actually what we did do was drive in past a bunch of yellow rolly hills and peruse the buildings. At a small nexus of stone buildings–everything very nice, by the way–they have bathrooms, which we attempted to use but were locked, and also a very nice computer system for locating graves, although this was turned off. Not that we had anybody to locate. We didn’t even know this place existed! Also interesting to note at this cemetery, our first “columbarium,” a structure intended to store urns containing cremated remains. That, I think, was one of the most interesting things there, and the cemetery itself looks promising in the future, but is boring for the present.

Another view

If you’re interested, here’s NCA’s official website, which includes directions from the nearest airport, regulations, notable burials, and historical information (although I’m not sure you can call something from 2003 “historical” yet): http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ncalleghenies.asp.

 On to the double part of your double. Day Cemetery in Logan County was one of my first favorite cemeteries, although the first time we went, it was much prettier. That was in the summer of 2005, when we were just fledgeling taphophiles with no destination or dream in mind. Our recent visit back was in the very dry early spring months, so everything was brown and crackly, but Day always kind of holds a warm cozy spot in my heart.

Solomon Day's headstone

The land was donated by Solomon Day, and there are now about 65 interments or so. A lot of these are old and broken down, and admittedly the place isn’t much to look at unless it’s summer time; then everything is just a mass of green. It’s hard to say just what it is about Day Cemetery that appeals to me so much–maybe that it’s a little isolated family cemetery off the beaten path.

To get to Day Cemetery from Bellefontaine, I recommend heading out of town on E. Sandusky Ave. (Say you’re on Main Street, which is SR 68, it’ll be a right turn almost in the middle of town.) E. Sandusky becomes 540 as you head out of town, past the movie theater, just following it until you get to the hamlet of New Jerusalem. Hang a left there onto 533 and then turn right on Township Road 127, which is very narrow and hilly. Day Cemetery will be on your right. You’ll have to park in the grass on the side of the road, and it’s between two blind hills, but that just adds to the excitement, don’t you think? To get back, you can either turn around, or just keep going on TR 127 until it meets back up with 540, at which point, just turn right and go back the way you came. Ta da! See, I can give directions.