Known as the "village Cemetery," this was Berea's main burial
ground from 1834 to the 1880s. However, in 1886, the Cleveland
Stone Co. purchased quarries adjacent to the cemetery, where
Coe Lake is today. Quarrying had already caused flooding and
landslides in the area. Local stories say that the company operated
too near to the edge of cemetery, causing a landslide in the
northwest corner that exposed some graves. Worried families moved
their loved ones remains to other cemeteries, including those of
five Civil War veterans. Pioneering families, 16 Civil War veterans,
3 mayors of Berea, several quarry owners, and many ordinary
people still rest here. Of the original 589 burials 40% were children.
The cemetery accepted burials into the 20th century, including
one veteran of the Indian Wars and one of World War I, but it
had fallen into disrepair and was used mainly for burial of
indigents. One night in March 1930, vandals knocked over and
broke many gravestones. In response, American Legion Post 91
repaired the stones. As the 21st century began, citizens recommitted themselves to honoring the cemetery. The City of Berea
and many community groups helped fund preservation efforts
and American Legion Post 91 decorates veterans' graves. Baldwin-Wallace College students and faculty have documented
burial sites
and volunteered many hours to repair broken tombstones.
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