Work Progresses at GC Cemetery
The project to construct a new fence and entrance at the Garden City Cemetery has made considerable progress in recent weeks. The metal portion of the entrance, including an arch over the main gateway, support structure for two smaller side gates, and metal, vertical line posts are cemented into place. County workmen and volunteers Mark Halfmann, James Cypert and Butch Halfmann did the installation July 19.
The next step is to surround the four main posts of the entrance with limestone blocks, making rock columns. The cemetery’s historical plaque will be set into the rock. Then, smaller pipe will be welded between the line posts, making two horizontal rows in the fence. A metal gate will be built for an equipment entrance at the east side. After all welding is complete, visible metal surfaces will be sandblasted and painted black.
In addition to helping with the construction, county crews have mowed the cemetery, removed piles of excess dirt and, at the request of the cemetery committee, removed several dead trees and a few bushes which were covering headstones.
Fence, Entrance Completion Will Take Months
Completion of the fence and entrance is expected to take several more months, since most of the work is being done by volunteers, who have their own businesses, which have first priority.
The committee’s future plans include paving the east and north roads and resurfacing the center road; landscaping the entrance; planting perimeter trees, sponsoring a clean-up day, and acquiring more land for future use.
The Garden City Cemetery Committee currently consists of: Deanie Craft, Betty Pate, Helen Wilkerson, Butch Halfmann, Mark Halfmann, James Cypert and Joe Melanie Calverley. Call any of these folks with comments or suggestions regarding the cemetery.
In the future, the committee will be asking for donations, but only as projects need funding.