Every cemetery is full of stories, but often those tales require some coaxing.
Before penicillin and other antibiotics and vaccines, babies and children often succumbed to diphtheria and other epidemics — a fate suggested by the headstones of siblings who died in the same year.
In Buena Vista’s Mount Olivet Cemetery, the Moore family headstones convey a world of grief with only the dates of birth and death. Alice W. Moore, “Beloved Mother,” 1853-1890. Henry Moore, 1883-1892. Laura Moore, 1887-1892. Emma Moore, 1885-1898. Father John Moore, 1837-1911. How lonely were John Moore’s final years?
In Fairplay’s cemetery lies Mable B. Asher, whose headstone reads “Nov. 8, 1892.” The date of her death? The date of her birth? It also notes her precise age: “3 years, 2 months, 3 days.” So many children’s gravestones bear those parameters — near Mable lies Frank E. Bowerman, “aged 3 months, 14 days” — as if including the days expands their short lives.
Some of the grave markers seem meant to tug out a smile as well as a heartstring or two.
In Denver’s Riverside Cemetery, Addison Baker’s grave features a life-size stone stallion, honoring his treasured Arabian. One headstone in Buena Vista’s Mount Olivet bears a carving of a big-rig truck. Another includes children’s nicknames, among them a son known as “Dirt.”
Here are a few historic cemeteries to visit:
Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St., Denver
Fairplay Cemetery, just east of U.S. 285, off County Road 16, Fairplay
Iron City Cemetery, half a mile from the junction of Colorado roads 292 and 162, past the campground, Iron City
Mount Olivet Cemetery, 257 S. Rodeo Road, Buena Vista
Riverside Cemetery, 5201 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Claire Martin: 303-954-1477, cmartin@denverpost.com or
