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Cemeteries
changing with the times. . .. .This article will appear here in part.
It was written by Joanne Hollister for the Hannibal Courier-Post. In
‘Story of Hannibal,” the origin of Mt. Olivet Cemetery in 1881 is
described: “Lonesome venture it was at first, but granite and marble
decorations soon proclaimed the attraction of basement lodgings in a
quiet neighborhood.”
The
tranquility of the place in daylight is broken only by the occasional
lowing of a cow, the rustling of trees or the twittering of birds. At
night, it may give a feeling of fright or the unknown, but the jinx of
hobgoblins isn’t very strong anymore.
Brice
said spooks “have been a joke with us. We have a caretaker that
lives there.. .but we had one apply for the job that turned us down
because his family would object to living there.
I
like to say we’ve got 20,000 customers and never have had a
complaint,” he said with a laugh
MT.
OLIVET CEMETERY: It is located southeast, off Highway 79 on Third
Street, on to Fulton Avenue (On Route “T”). This cemetery was
deeded originally to Methodist Church in 1847; renamed Mt Olivet in
1871. It still includes the Old Methodist Cemetery located in Section
16 to the south.
OLD
BAPTIST CEMETERY: At Section and Sumner Streets is the oldest in
Hannibal. Established in 1837, it is no longer in use. It was featured
in the writings of Mark Twain and holds graves of early pioneers from
Virginia and Kentucky.
OLD
CITY CEMETERY: Very little can be found on this cemetery from it’s
beginning to disbandment. It apparently would have been on what today
are out-lots 84 & 85, near the intersection of 7th Street, Paris
Street and Rock Street. Records indicated in 1836 that this area was
marked “Church Yard”.
ST.
MARY’S CEMETERY: This is a Catholic cemetery, northwest on Palmyra
Road, on southside. This cemetery was founded in 1861 and houses the
grave of Emmette J. SHIELDS, the first Hannibal man killed in World
War I, who was honored by the naming of the America Legion Post after
him.
RIVERVIEW
CEMETERY: It is located on Highway 36 on Third Street and onto Birch
Street on north side of Highway. This is the oldest cemetery in
Hannibal still in use, it offers a prime view for those in the
hereafter. Perched high on Lover’s Leap. Hannibalians like
Congressman William Henry HATCH and J. J. CRUIKSHANK, the lumber
magnate, are buried there. Nearby is the Jewish Cemetery.
ROBINSON
CEMETERY: This cemetery was established for the black population in
the Hannibal area; so they would have their own burial place for their
families. It is located at the end of Clark Avenue and was platted in
1921. When it started it consisted of 142 Lots (most being 16’ X
16’). Today, the cemetery itself indicates many more lots, these
being added toward the east. Burial records have been very sketchy
during the years. Albert L. ROBINSON and wife, Laura, were the first
owners. After Mr. ROBINSON’s death; it was sold at a private sale to
Edward E. ROBINSON and wife, Virginia. It still remains as a cemetery,
but there are very few burials now.
GRANDVIEW
CEMETERY: It is located south on Route 61 on the east side of Highway.
This cemetery is the newest cemetery to be established.
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