This week, the alphabet takes us to Davenport Cemetery. And I see that our picture file is divided to Davenport East and Davenport West. So we will only tackle East this week.
Unlike East and West Hesperia cemeteries, which are located in different counties on each side of the village of Hesperia, Davenport simply straddles Beech Avenue, close to the northern border of the county.
I love this tall monument of the McFarland family, with the individual stones aligned beside it. And notice the massive Davenport stone behind it. I noticed many large stones for the Davenport family in the pictures, obviously a large family from the area, and perhaps they donated the land.
I notice that much of the area seems to be bounded in family plots. While some of them are well maintained, this one is not. At first I was upset over the neglect. Upon closer look, I think there are Iris leaves amidst the grass. It doesn't need mowed, just a good weeding. Notice how the right side of the front has small field stone pressed into the cement. This rolling countryside has a lot of stones and it is a common sight to see the smaller field stones used as ornamentation for borders and baskets.
It may be hard to make out in the above picture, but this peaceful corner of the cemetery exhibits one of my favorite local decorations, a cement basket, imbedded with stones. My great- and great-great-grandparents in a cemetery a few miles north of here have a similar basket with a cement handle, again coated with the stones.
Some people take the idea of tombstones so literally! I don't kniw if this smallish rock is a grave stone, or simply a random field stone. Perhaps the sexton isn't sure either. Otherwise I am sure it would be a bother when it comes time to mow!
Such a simple stone this one is. Obviously a gravestone here, with the initials M. B. H. scraped into the hard rock. The age is difficult to read, it may say just Age 8, or it may be 80-something.
The family of Colton Carpenter obviously went all out. Not only the family name near the top but his full name near the bottom and all sorts of carving with flowers and a palm frond. and I love the rough-hewn look of the rest of the stone.
Another massive stone, that of Rosetta and Fitch Turk. Even though its foundation is crumbling it still is in good shape. And although rather dark, and hard to make out, it does have some beautiful engraving around the top of the stone.
All in all, Davenport East is a lovely cemetery. I have some of my roots in the area, and grew up in a similar area, with the hills and farms in the background. The hills make some lovely scenic vistas. Truly a beautiful place to rest in peace.
Unlike East and West Hesperia cemeteries, which are located in different counties on each side of the village of Hesperia, Davenport simply straddles Beech Avenue, close to the northern border of the county.
I love this tall monument of the McFarland family, with the individual stones aligned beside it. And notice the massive Davenport stone behind it. I noticed many large stones for the Davenport family in the pictures, obviously a large family from the area, and perhaps they donated the land. 
I notice that much of the area seems to be bounded in family plots. While some of them are well maintained, this one is not. At first I was upset over the neglect. Upon closer look, I think there are Iris leaves amidst the grass. It doesn't need mowed, just a good weeding. Notice how the right side of the front has small field stone pressed into the cement. This rolling countryside has a lot of stones and it is a common sight to see the smaller field stones used as ornamentation for borders and baskets. 
It may be hard to make out in the above picture, but this peaceful corner of the cemetery exhibits one of my favorite local decorations, a cement basket, imbedded with stones. My great- and great-great-grandparents in a cemetery a few miles north of here have a similar basket with a cement handle, again coated with the stones.
Some people take the idea of tombstones so literally! I don't kniw if this smallish rock is a grave stone, or simply a random field stone. Perhaps the sexton isn't sure either. Otherwise I am sure it would be a bother when it comes time to mow!
Such a simple stone this one is. Obviously a gravestone here, with the initials M. B. H. scraped into the hard rock. The age is difficult to read, it may say just Age 8, or it may be 80-something.
The family of Colton Carpenter obviously went all out. Not only the family name near the top but his full name near the bottom and all sorts of carving with flowers and a palm frond. and I love the rough-hewn look of the rest of the stone.
Another massive stone, that of Rosetta and Fitch Turk. Even though its foundation is crumbling it still is in good shape. And although rather dark, and hard to make out, it does have some beautiful engraving around the top of the stone.
All in all, Davenport East is a lovely cemetery. I have some of my roots in the area, and grew up in a similar area, with the hills and farms in the background. The hills make some lovely scenic vistas. Truly a beautiful place to rest in peace.
Is the cemetery still in use?
ReplyDeleteI think the cemetery looks like it could be in current usage, although the West side looks like it has more room. No large towns nearby, probably just families from the area are buried there now.
ReplyDelete