October 9-11 2000, HAR commenced fieldwork on a two-phase project in cooperation with the Knox County Cemetery Commission (KCCC) in Vincennes, Indiana. Noninvasive geophysical survey methods were utilized in an effort to delineate the boundaries of two 19th century cemeteries. The first phase of fieldwork focused on two severely damaged cemeteries that have recently been cleared of surface vegetation in preparation for preservation. Both the Reel and Wolfe cemetery sites are problematic in that identifying surface features have either been altered or removed entirely.

The Reel Cemetery dates from the early to mid nineteenth century. Over the years,the abandoned cemetery fell into a state of overgrown disrepair and later was further impaired by livestock. The site is presently in pasture and fenced on two sides separating this area from adjacent crop fields. The photograph at right was taken after the Commission prepared the area for (EMC) Electromagnetic Conductivity survey.

Broken base, foot and headstones are found around a large tree just West of the area reported to be the location of the cemetery. The photographs at right and below depict the present condition of the remaining grave markers. The property owner has cooperated fully by permitting a non-invasive survey of the pasture designed to determine the original location and boundaries of the cemetery.

Ongoing archival research and further geophysical investigation of the Reel site will attempt to identify the number of individuals in this cemetery.

While it may not be feasible to completely restore Reel, it may be possible to define the probable extents of the burial ground and to preserve what remains of an early Indiana pioneer cemetery.
View preliminary results

The Wolfe Cemetery also dates to Indiana's early pioneer period; however, it is presently found in a somewhat different state of ruin. Annual agricultural activities have successively encroached upon the cemetery leaving an island of mounded earth, vegetation and modern debris. More recently, the remaining grave markers have been removed by vandals and the only evidence of this cemetery is a sign previously placed here by Knox County historians.

Research of the Wolfe Cemetery set out to reveal the original boundaries of the site to permit fencing and preservation by the KCCC. An EMC survey was conducted in areas peripheral to the mounded earth. Fieldwork was impeded by the discovery of surface debris consisting primarily of modern metal artifacts including numerous discarded farm related implements and other unidentified ferrous materials.

There is very little in the way of background literature describing Wolfe Cemetery and much of the recorded information is no longer corroborated by evidence of surface features at the site. To their credit, Knox County historians have chosen to record and preserve southern Indiana's pioneer cemetery heritage before more are lost to neglect and land use or development. With their permission, the results of these surveys will be published here in the near future.