Marble Gravestones in Berrytown

No, not gravestones made of marble, but gravestones using child's marbles in a primitive folk-art way to spell out the text. (Also check out the T.C. stone in Richmond.)

Nicknames on Graves

Some people have an interesting nom de tomb chiseled onto their headstone:


Both "Hoss" (probably the dog's name) and "Bud", Centerfield, KY


"Uncle L", Shelbyville, KY


"Prophet", Berrytown, KY


"Snookum", Lexington, KY


And of course, "Tent Girl", Georgetown, KY, wnose real name was unknown for thirty years after her death.

Disintegrating Grave

This grave in Berrytown Cemetery hasn't worn well under the whipping of the elements over the years. Almost all that remains standing is a rapidly deteriorating poured-concrete core, filled with jack-rock aggregate.

Although the rusty rebar clearly seems to be protruding out of the stone in one place, I can't make up my mind if it's actually part of the stone's original interior structure, or if it was added at some point later to help it continue to stand.

Concrete Block Gravestone

This gravestone in Berrytown Cemetery is nothing more than a concrete block, not even with a name on it. Then again, it's a very unusual concrete block, filled with little round creek stones as aggregate.

Bone in Berrytown Cemetery

I was in Berrytown recently taking pics for a new book project, when I came across a freakin' bone laying in the grass at the cemetery.

Considering that in recent weeks and months people have found skulls and fetuses left in Kentucky cemeteries, and that vandalism and that grave-robbing are on the rise, I was naturally suspicious.


Probably just a pork neckbone or something. How'd it get here? Good question.

Then again, it is covered in dirt, as if it had been buried and dug up.

On the other hand, it could be a stewbone buried by a dog, as dogs are wont to do, and subsequently dug up for gnawing on later.

I think I'll go eat some pie now and not think about it.