Throughout Bartholomew County, there are 150 recognized cemeteries. Of those gravesites, local officials estimate that 40 are largely left unattended each year.
That second number needs to change.
Last week, The Republic published a story about the neglected Tannehill-Pioneer Cemetery, which is located south of County Road 700W in Taylorsville. Tree limbs, brush and weeds have taken over the burial grounds, which are almost impossible to find without a guide.
The deteriorating tombstones in the area mark the final resting place for numerous distinguished locals. Soldiers from the War of 1812 are buried there, including the founder of the cemetery, Zachariah Tannehill, who was a lieutenant under General Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans. He was later promoted to major.
Efforts have been made in the past, including as recently as 2011, to take care of Tannehill-Pioneer Cemetery, but it has received minimal care over the last few years.
Thankfully, current German Township trustee Chris West said he has already discussed what can be done with a key member of his advisory board, suggesting changes will be made soon.
Soon after the story was published, many in the community asked how they could get involved in restoration efforts.
The best means of finding out if you can volunteer to spruce up a cemetery is by starting with contacting the county and/or your township to learn more. This is an important step, as not all cemeteries are open to the public.
According to IN.gov, those responsible for cemetery upkeep can fall under under different rules:
- If someone is paying property taxes on them, that individual or corporation is responsible for the cemetery. There are no state laws that describe the techniques for preservation of cemeteries and gravestones or how they should be maintained — which means they are not required to cut the grass and fix the broken tombstones. Also, there is nothing in Indiana law that says a private landowner has to allow you onto property to visit a cemetery, even if those buried there are your ancestors.
- Cemeteries might be owned by a local governmental agency. If owned by a town, city or county there are no state laws that describe the techniques for preservation of cemeteries and gravestones or how they should be maintained.
- If the cemetery is owned by the township (or there are no taxes being paid on the property and no not-for-profit like a church to care for the cemetery) then there are a few things state law requires the township to do. They must fence the cemetery, straighten the leaning tombstones, keep down noxious weeds, and level the ground.
In the year of Bartholomew County’s bicentennial, it’s as important as ever to honor those that have made the area what it is today.
We’re glad more local residents are recognizing the issues at the local cemeteries, and hope that it leads to change.
