Don’t let it be said that I don’t introduce my readers to amazing and interesting off the beaten track places. Today I just wanted to share a few pictures from a little place we found on Harrison Street in Sandusky, Ohio.
The cholera epidemic was a real thing and the folks of Sandusky were hugely affected by the epidemic as it swept through their town in 1859, The population at the time was 5667 and of that number 3500 fled the town when the epidemic started to take its toll. 400 of the remains people died – an astonishing 11% of those that remained lost their lives to the epidemic. Most of them were buried in a mass grave in this spot.
A monument was erected in honor of the many doctors, nurses and other medical staff that assisted in fighting the cholera epidemic. It was an amazing testimony to their dedication to serve others and the gratitude was real.
The only grave markers located in the cemetery were these three which, although difficult to read, made an impact on me.
I have shared my love of walking through cemeteries before but this one took on a more somber tone when we visited and for good reason. I can not imagine the fear that these people faced knowing that this epidemic was very close to wiping out their town.
Have you ever been to a cemetery like this one? Do you know if there are any other ones that exist? Let me know in the comments and remember to Comment for a Cause – for Camp Robin Rogers.
11 Comments
Leave a commentAs you know, I am also fascinated by cemeteries. I haven’t been to a Cholera cemetery but I know there are some in the UK. It would be sobering for sure. Here is an interesting article you might like. https://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.com/2017/10/cholera-and-cemeteries.html
Darlene–thanks for the link. Definitely going to check it out!
I’m sure that was a sobering experience. Although medicine in our country has its problems, we certainly do have it much better than our ancestors.
Yes, we do and this is reminder of how a disease could really wipe out a population. It was sobering but interesting at the same time.
Cholera is no joke. 🙁 For an interesting American cemetery, consider looking into the Files Cemetery, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Hmmm–now you have me intrigued, Colleen. I will go look it up! Thanks for the tip! And thanks for stopping by today!
Great story Beth- I didn’t know about the cemetery. I do know that there is some kind of connection with cholera and the Marblehead light house keeper. Have you been to the Keeper’s House on the bay side of the peninsula? I need to refresh my memory. But either the first keeper, or his son died after rescuing people with cholera from Lake Erie- something like that!
So sad and probably the most unusual cemetery I’ve ever “seen.”
I have to agree with Minnesota. I have never seen or heard of this type of cemetery before. As it is very sad I think it is good that they are acknowledged. Thanks for sharing Beth Ann.
Thank heaven for water treatment and sanitation plants! What an awful way to die. Thank you, Beth Ann, for showing us this. (By the way, I, too, like to roam through cemeteries … while praying for those no longer among us!)
Old cemeteries are fascinating, but this one is sobering for certain. Thinking back to the many dire circumstances folks encountered back in those days, it makes us realize how much we take for granted now like clean, safe water and proper sanitation.