Visiting Fort Bayard Memorial Cemetery

I found another cemetery as Dona and I were driving around looking for the unusual to write about. Another cemetery. However, this cemetery has a story of significance that we can address together and possibly have a “More Positive Outcome.”

To be honest, that isn’t exactly how we found it, or maybe it was. This is the actual truth; Dona and I were having lunch at the Adobe Springs Restaurant where I have some canvas wraps displayed which promulgated a conversation with another photographer who happened to be there, (I love spontaneous connections) and he had found this cemetery in the Fort Bayard complex that was very unusual and he thought that maybe, because the burials were so systematic, that possibly it was the result of an epidemic in the area. It sounded reasonable to me, but I still didn’t get the exact location except that it was in the Fort Bayard area. So, whenever Dona and I were in the Fort Bayard Complex we always had our eyes out for it. Finally, by a stroke of luck, we stumbled onto it. One of the delightful things about this cemetery is that it is another area cemetery that is thoughtfully maintained. We were pleased about that, but confused about the lack of burial monuments. The sign said “Memorial Cemetery” but that name didn’t begin to tell whole story about the significance of this cemetery nor come close to explaining its importance. So, we entered the enclosure to check things out and to make a few photos. Upon entering, the first thing that we were really surprised at was the obvious lack of stone monuments. There were a few modest monuments for sure, but very few as compared to most of the cemeteries we find. But, what we mostly found will surprise you and leave you gasping for answers. Let me show you. Concrete blocks with a brass plate attached and name stamped in it.

Yes, that is mostly what we found. Row after row about five feet by ten feet apart. The monument pictured at the left was made of concrete, about 8” x 12” with a small brass plate affixed in the center. I don’t remember the exact size of the brass plate, but it had the buried person’s name stamped into it. Are you getting the feel for the presumptions that Dona and I were having as to what kind of strange cemetery this is and was, and just why were these concrete blocks with the brass plates so plain and why were they placed so systematically in rows unless it was in fact the result of an epidemic? However, we couldn’t help but notice that the dates on the Brass Plates were not the same nor nearly the same. Epidemic – not so sure.

There was still another puzzle confronting us as we studied the cemetery, and it was further on up the hill, a gradual hill. The puzzle could have been explained by our next encounter but we didn’t pick up on it. But, if a picture is worth a thousand words; see what you think.

What we found was a square area with undefined boundaries but about 30 feet by 30 feet. It had about twenty of what I would suppose to be temporary grave markers. So, these must be baby graves and permanent markers would be installed later. But really, that didn’t make much sense either.

The next was to examine the posted signs around the cemetery to see if there was one that explained the peculiarity of this place. There was none.

This is where friends and connections come in very handy. When I’m stumped, I can usually find the answer by summoning the help of the area expert, Terry Humble. The next time we get together you can bet I’ll have the answers along with some pertinent conclusions and thoughts about what I consider a serious oversight.

In the meantime, maybe you’d like to check it out for yourself. Here are the directions – Go to the turnoff in Santa Clara that leads to the Fort Bayard Hospital on the left and the twin rock walls on the right that you pass through to get into the Old Fort Bayard. Turn right thru the rock walls and immediately turn left onto a dirt road. In a hundred yards or so you will be at the cemetery. “And That’s My Opinion.”