Lodi Cemetery
Lodi Cemetery, in Union Chapel Community, is possibly the oldest of the three
still-maintained country cemeteries. Atop a high and rounded hill, Lodi encompasses
about seventy-five graves. The first recorded burial was early in 1878, an infant
son. Thirty-three of those buried here are children under six. Only a few graves
are unmarked, the majority having large and ornate headstones. Sentimental inscriptions
and small animal figurines adorn many of the tall stones. The cemetery was deeded
to Eagle Township November 26, 1904, by Zaphar P. and Elizabeth Ball: "a
plot of land in Section 28, Township 33, Range 13, 16 rods and 19 links by 12
rods and 82 links, for a consideration of $5.00." It is still maintained
by Eagle Township, and the American Flag is flown there each Memorial Day. Purple
and yellow iris are scattered among the graves and two old, wind-shapen native
cedars stand guard atop the hill. There was also a Lodi settlement. The cedar
log post-office building as of 1980 was part of a hay shed on the Elmer Holmes-Evelyn
Wolkins land.
(Information from pages 28-29 of Chosen Land - A History of Barber
County, Kansas ©1980)
© 2002 Ed Rucker for KSGen Web Project
