pioneer cemeteries

The Forgotten History of Crum-Durrance Cemetery in Polk County, Florida

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Weathered gravestones at Crum-Durrance Cemetery beneath Spanish moss and storm clouds in Polk County, Florida.

Some historic places announce themselves. They have signs along the highway, parking lots, interpretive markers, and plaques explaining exactly why you should stop. Others are much quieter. Sometimes you glimpse a few old headstones through the trees as you drive past and think— Wait. Was that a cemetery? That’s exactly how Dusty and I discovered … Read more

Forgotten, Not Gone: Giddens Homestead Cemetery

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Tree stump–style headstone surrounded by small grave markers in Giddens Homestead Cemetery, a historic pioneer burial ground hidden in the Florida woods.

There are places you stumble across once and never forget.And then there are places that call you back. Giddens Homestead Cemetery is the latter for me. Hidden deep in the Florida woods, this small pioneer cemetery has been part of my life for nearly a decade. I found it long before I understood the story … Read more