One Last Stop

White Lake Cemetery

Date Visited:  June 23, 2019

Stop:  #18

As we left Hoffman Farms, it was our intention to drive straight home.  We had ended the day on a high note, but it had been a long day and we were tired.  So, we found our way to White Lake Road and headed east.  As we always do at the end of an adventurous day, we asked each other what our favorite parts of the day were.  We were both unanimous in choosing Hoffman Farms Winery for all the reasons I mentioned in my previous blog, but we also agreed that we really enjoyed the Fenton Winery and Brewery as well.  Visiting Fenton on their River Fest day was a pleasantly fortuitous stroke of luck.  We were deep in discussion about all of this when out of the corner of my eye, I saw what looked like a Michigan Historical Marker.  So, I found a place to turn around and we retraced our route until we found it – an historical marker located in a cemetery!!

Since I had focused on getting home, I had not even thought about referencing my Historical Marker map after we left Hoffman Farms, so this was a pleasant surprise.  We pulled into the cemetery, located on the south side of White Lake Road, about 0.9 miles west of Cuthbert Road, and parked.  Kathy was pretty "tired", so I got out and explored the cemetery on my own. 

In 1836, Robert Garner, one of the first pioneers to settle in the area, gave an acre of land to be used as a burial ground. Sadly, the first burials were for his 2 young daughters (nine months and two years old). In 1856 the land was formally deeded to the Board of Health of White Lake Twp.  The Historical Marker mentions the importance that Robert Garner had in the area (helped establish the First Presbyterian Church of White Lake and was the superintendent of a pioneer Sabbath school in White Lake) and he, as well as many of his family members, are buried in this cemetery.  You also learn that this cemetery is the final resting place for 28 Civil War veterans, and over 40 veterans from succeeding wars.  I spent quite a bit of time wandering through the cemetery, looking for the gravesites of other early pioneer families (the Voorheises, the Seeleys) and for war veterans.  I took several pictures, some of which are shown below.  Again, I was humbled to be amongst so many important heroes and heroines from so many bygone years.  It was a solemn end to a very long and enjoyable day.

It was starting to get fairly late and my stomach was starting to rumble, so I hopped back in the car, waking Kathy up from her catnap.  It had been such a long, but wonderful day – a perfect summer Sunday spent exploring and drinking wine and eating great food.  I promised Kathy we would not make any more stops, no matter how many historical markers we may pass.  Our biggest decision now was where to eat.  And, to contemplate our next great adventure, wherever it may take us!!!

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