Little Graveyard on the Prairie

While on my quest last week to photograph all the covered bridges in our county, I stumbled across the Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery. What a find! A small graveyard, the tombstones are surrounded by native prairie grasses and plants from pre-settlement times. It is the only remaining piece of what was one a vast tall-grass prairie known as The Darby Plains. Because of its scientific and historical significance, the cemetery was dedicated as a state nature preserve in September, 1978, and is now being managed to aid and perpetuate these native prairie species.

(As always, click on pictures to enlarge)

 

The tombstones engulfed by the grasses.

As in most cemeteries, some of the markers were very simple ones.

While a few were larger monuments.

Prairie life was tough and often not kind to children.

This girl was only twelve years old.

Phebe Ann was a mere five years when she left this earth.

 

And little Mahalia only one.

 

But some, like Henry King, lived to a ripe old age.

His wife, Catharine, even outlived him.

And a little bonus.

Of all the butterflies that were sipping from the prairie nectar, this little guy (about 1 1/2 inches across), caught my eye the most.