Preserving a serene symbol

Article and photos by Ethan Nahté

If you live in Polk County, especially in and around Mena, odds are you have attended a funeral or visited a gravesite at Pinecrest Cemetery. It is alternately known to some as either Pinecrest Gardens or Pinecrest Memorial Park, which is the name on the sign at the cemetery entrance (not to be confused with the cemetery of the same name in Alexander, Arkansas.). Regardless of the appellation or spelling variation you use, it is Polk County’s largest cemetery, containing approximately 4,500 graves,

The name and an in-depth history are a story for another day, although a bit of background is a necessity. In 1904, a parcel of land was obtained to be used as a cemetery for residents of Mena and surrounding areas. This land became known as the Odd Fellows Cemetery, named for the purchasers, Mena Lodge No. 152, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). 

Solomon Lucien (S.L.) “Old” Lindsay was a local dentist, police judge, architect and designer, as well as the publisher of one of Mena’s earliest newspapers called New Era. He was also the first Noble Grand of Lodge No. 152, IOOF, being one of the original 22 charter members for No. 152 when it was created circa 1898. Lindsay served as manager of the Odd Fellows Cemetery for approximately 10 years.

According to the IOOF site, “Burying the dead was taken very seriously by early Odd Fellows, and most lodges purchased land and established cemeteries as one of their first activities in a new town or city. In many areas all phases of burial (sometimes including services now provided by undertakers) were provided by Odd Fellows in the earlier days. Cemeteries were often open to the public, and plots were sold for a few dollars each… .”

As a matter of fact, there were several across Arkansas. Some cemeteries still retain the Odd Fellows name while others, like Pinecrest, changed with ownership.

According to a July 31, 1970, historical report by Lilliam W. Burtch, Margaret R. Ogden and Rachel I. Ritchie (“Odd Fellows Cemetery 1904-1933 Pinecrest Memorial Park 1933-1969, Mena, Arkansas”), many early improvements to the cemetery were done, such as the bridge entrance and the erection of the stone wall across the front. 

Gazebo

Another improvement occurred in 1930 when a shelter house or chapel was built in the middle of the original plot of land, surrounded by hundreds of trees. The gazebo structure was intended to be used as a place to either hold services and memorials or as a serene place of reflection. 

According to Judith Roberson, current president of the Pinecrest Board of Directors, “As needs for the cemetery changed through the years, the gazebo was enclosed to provide a meeting place for the board of directors and to house cemetery documents and plat maps. Later, a maintenance garage was added to the structure to house tools and equipment used to maintain the appearance of the cemetery.”

The garage may be the same addition referenced in the historical report mentioning an addition was made to the small tool house originally built by Albert Middleton.

Odd Fellows Cemetery was renamed Pinecrest Memorial Gardens by a vote of the cemetery Board and recorded by the Polk County circuit clerk in Jan. 1933. Somewhere along the way, it was possibly shortened for accounting reasons to Pinecrest Memorial Park. According to an obituary for Lindsay in the Jan. 3, 1939, edition of The Times newspaper from Shreveport, Louisiana, his interment was in the Pinecrest Memorial Park.

His wife Dora was interred there in 1914 while it retained the original name. The property was sold in Oct. 1925.

Upkeep

Originally a plan was established that when a burial plot was purchased, a small portion of that fee was set aside for upkeep of the grounds. 

Lot owners were asked in 1922 to make annual donations for upkeep of the cemetery, most being willing to do this. It was a necessity to make payments on the cemetery property, upkeep and to make improvements.

Roberson said, “In 1975, families were given as opportunity to purchase a $100 CD to be given for a lifetime contribution to Pinecrest Cemetery for upkeep and maintenance. The interest from these CD’s, plus selling burial spaces, along with occasional donations is how current expenses are paid. Sadly, sales of plots have greatly diminished mainly due to increased cremation.” 

Dilapidated structure

“The gazebo is old,” Roberson said. “The roof is leaking and nearly completely covered in moss. The side panels that were used to enclose the structure have shifted, shrunk and pulled away from the rock supports allowing moisture, wind, birds and whatever else access to our records. We are one storm away from all the contents being destroyed.”

Despite the cemetery approaching 120 years old, it does not qualify for grant aid or protection from the Arkansas Register of Historic Places or National Register of Historic Places. In part, the addition of the maintenance building, along with the panels and doors to enclose the original structure, prevent the once-beautiful gazebo from obtaining those grants.

Roberson said, “Other grant options have so much red tape that, that is not a good way to go.”

Options

How to rectify the situation?

“There are currently two trains of thought,” Roberson said. “One is to repair what there is in place — put a new roof on, replace the inserted panels (which included door and windows) and replace the exterior with new siding. 

“A second option would be to select a new site and erect a metal building to house the maintenance needs in one end and place an office for business, records and meetings in the other end. The gazebo would be restored to its original structure which is for memorial services and a place of meditation.”

It’s not only the gazebo that is at risk, but all of the vital records within. “A metal file cabinet, maps and plats are just standing along the wall that are open to the elements,” she said. “If the doors or windows were knocked out, or a hole forms in the roof to allow water to get in, they’re just open.” The maps and plats contain the cemetery’s records of various burial sites.

Either option to salvage and restore the gazebo and contents will require funding, but the Board is not certain of the amount. “About five years ago, or longer than that, we did have people come and appraise what it would take to replace the roof,” Roberson said. “At that time, we needed $7,500 to replace the roof. It would probably cost $12,000 – $15,000 now. I really don’t think it would be that difficult to restore it to the original, but the roof is going to be a booger to replace.”

Although the non-profit organization has CDs they hope will help in the interim period, in the current economy, who’s to say whether the interest rates will nosedive or gain? They are having to come up with an alternate plan, which might include major donations or a charitable gift with a memorial fund from the estate of a deceased donor. It could be all at once or a continuous payment for regular upkeep and repairs made through a will.

The 1970 report stated, “Entire families are buried here with no one left to help financially.”

Roberson said, “You never know who might be sitting somewhere and they’re thinking of distributing some of their estate. If they’ve got family members buried at Pine Crest may write us a check for half of what a need. If the word doesn’t get put out there and people don’t know of our needs, how could we ever expect to get donations? It’s time to pass the collection plate.”

Visitation

If you go to visit a gravesite, which many people will possibly do with Memorial Day quickly approaching, take notice of the moss covering the shingles leading up to the cupola of the gazebo. Mentally strip away the attached building and paneling covering the areas that were once openings and doorways. Take in the wood and stone building surrounded by ancient trees and imagine what the gazebo used to be — what it can be again.

“Memorial Day is a Decoration Day,” Roberson said as a reminder. “Lots of people do visit the cemetery. The guys are working to get it weedeated and mowed. We’ve been very fortunate in getting workers who are very conscientious and take pride in their work and do their darndest to keep it looking nice.”

All donations are tax deductible. The association requests that if you are led to help this endeavor, mail your donation to Pine Crest Cemetery, P.O. Box 864, Mena, AR 71953.

“Pine Crest is special to a lot of us.,” Roberson said. “Let’s ensure it stays that way.”

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