*To get here, take US-23 to East Grand Lake Road, turn right at the stop sign and continue on about a mile to Besser Bell Road. About halfway down the road, a two-track will take you to the cemetery, which is enclosed by a high wooden fence. You can find the location on this map:
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This cemetery, originally consisting of only one original grave and countless unmarked others, was restored in 1989 to include one mass marker with the names of those thought to be buried there, with plain wooden crosses marking the spots of sunken earth where people were thought to have been buried. A second restoration is currently under way, with new stones marking the locations of known burials and simple stone crosses marked "RIP" guarding over the unknown graves. These new stones, which were added in 2009, were made in a rustic style which make them fit in with the old cemetery.
While in the area, you can also walk the one-mile loop trail also located in Besser Natural Area on Besser Bell Road. Old remnants of life including a huge stone chimney, scattered debris, and logging material in the lagoon serve to remind us of the people who lived and worked here. But don't go thinking this is all that's left of the village - the area within Besser Natural Area was mostly industrial. Many of the people buried in the cemetery lived on the stretch of road between the PI Township Building and the Hide-a-way. In fact, the post office and school were also located there. We'll walk this trail and share some pictures on a future edition of "Up North Adventures." Stay tuned!
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