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afrolumensproject central pennsylvania african american history for everyone ten years on the web 1997 - 2007 |
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Midland Cemetery~
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Midland
Cemetery was recently rescued from neglect by local historian Barbara B. Barksdale, who began the
Friends of Midland
organization.
That organization is the best source of information on the cemetery.
They can be contacted at the following address: |
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ocated on a hill in a quiet corner of Swatara Township, Midland Cemetery holds the earthly remains of hundreds of African American citizens from Steelton, Pennsylvania, nearby rural areas, and the surrounding communities of Oberlin, Enhaut and Bressler. It is one of two African American cemeteries located in Swatara Township; the other cemetery, William Howard Day, is located a short distance away. Of the two, Midland is the oldest, with burials dating back to the eighteenth century. Until becoming known as Midland, it was referred to variously as "the Colored Cemetery," "the Colored cemetery near Oberlin," "the Mohn Street Cemetery," and "Highland Hill Cemetery." All of these terms appear on older documents about Midland Cemetery. On older maps, it has been shown within the boundaries of both "Oberlin Gardens" and Enhaut. Midland spreads over three and one-half acres, on land that
was once a respectful distance from residences. Homes now border two
sides of the cemetery, although it wasn't until recently that Once fully obscured, the grave of World War I veteran Eulie Waid is now clear of major brush and is regularly decorated with an American flag. Waid, who lived January 25, 1895 to November 30, 1951, served as a private with the 810th Pioneer Infantry. Midland cemetery was rescued from the rampant underbrush by Barbara B. Barksdale, who is now president of the Friends of Midland organization. The organization recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Another Dunkle, Abraham, ran a furniture and carpet store at 120-126 N. Front Street in the early 1890's. By 1897 Josiah Dunkle had died and his son Samuel had established Dunkle & Company, furniture and carpets, at 124 N. Front Street, managed by Abraham Dunkle. A clerk at the store, D. Frank Knoderer, came from a family of carpenters. During the next two decades, the two families combined their trades and business interests to establish Dunkle and Knoderer Undertaking Company at the location of the old furniture store. GPS coordinates for Midland:
The
Civil War Burials at Midland names of persons buried at midland Tombstone TranscriptionsContributed Names, List B Contributed Names, List C Contributed Names, List D Map of Midland Cemetery Names of Lot Holders All Names, A-Z other pages
Steelton Death
Certificates, 1892-1893 |
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Original
material on this page copyright 2003-2005 Afrolumens Project.
The url of this page is http://www.afrolumens.org/rising_free/midland.html
Contact the editor
This page was updated March 20, 2005.
residents
of this suburban neighborhood were aware of the extent of the burials across
the street from their back yards. Heavy brush and weeds, from more than
thirty years of neglect, had obscured all but a handful of grave markers and
tombstones from view. Only the most prominent gravestones along the
southern and western boundaries of the cemetery gave any hint of the
history that was beneath the tangle of brambles, sumac and woody undergrowth
that covered the hill behind them.
