I knew there was another old cemetery in Richfield besides the one right near Crowell Hilaka. Tonight Rob & I scoped it out and found several history hints.
Fairview cemetery is on Rt 21 (Brecksville Rd). From camp, drive or hike out the Broadview Rd entrance. Turn Right (South ) to West Richfield center. At Rt. 303 turn left (East) to Rt 21. Turn Left (North). The cemetery is a short way up on the left side. The sign is not hugely obvious because it is set back on the hillside. The first thing we noticed from the road was the row of white crosses.
The second thing we noticed was that the front wall is the same kind of stonework as the Kirby House fireplace and exterior chimmney. It has this half-rounded mortar that looks like a thick cord going around all the stones. Very distinctive and probably the same guy did both. We drove up the hill and parked at the windmill.
Familiar names from Richfield history jumped out at me, although none were attached to any ghosts. The oldest graves are at the top of a beautiful hill. We found the common grave for the children of John and Mary Ann Brown next to a huge tree. Since the family was still near destitute at the time, the neighbors must have pitched in to buy the headstone. Walter & Mildred Kirby. (Walter was our Mr. Kirby's brother and business partner.) Several Oviatts. Mason's father and some of his brothers. The eccentric Lord Farnham.
Being fond of old cemeteries, we prowled around noticing things - the ground full of white violets, purple heal-all, and moss. We heard (but did not see) a large woodpecker nearby. At the base of the far side of the hill, there is a headstone with a very large martini engraved on the back.
Lynn
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