The Gros Cap Cemetery, once known as the Western Cemetery,
is a cemetery located southeast of
Gros Cap, Michigan
Gros may refer to:
People
*Gros (surname)
* Gross (surname), the German variant of Gros
* Le Gros, the Norman variant of Gros
Other uses
* Gros (coinage), a type of 13th-century silver coinage of France
* Gros (grape), another name for Elbling, ...
on
US 2
U.S. Route 2 or U.S. Highway 2 (US 2) is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada. Unlike some routes, whi ...
. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States to be continuously used,
and a portion is contained in the
Gros Cap Archaeological District. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1970
and listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
in 1971.
History
In the late 17th century, a group of
Ottawa
Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...
Indians settled in the area around West Moran Bay.
The village had, at one time, 1500 people living in it.
The Gros Cap Cemetery was originally adjacent to the tribal village
and was used as their burial ground.
As more European settlers moved into the area, the Ottawa population decreased due to further emigration or intermarriage with the arriving settlers. However, the cemetery continued to be used by French, English, and eventually American settlers.
In 1889, the cemetery was placed under the jurisdiction of Moran Township, at which time the size of the cemetery was reduced and some of the remains reburied within the smaller remaining area.
Later, the cemetery was increased in size to the north and east.
Description
File:Gros Cap Cemetery a.jpg
File:Gros Cap Cemetery b.jpg
File:Gros Cap cemetery.JPG
The original cemetery covered a wide area; however, the current Gros Cap Cemetery is a plot of land measuring by , surrounded by a chain link fence.
The cemetery contains the graves of both Indians and Europeans, with wooden crosses, 19th century headstones, and modern tombstones.
References
Further reading
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External links
*
List of gravestones
Cemeteries on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan
Protected areas of Mackinac County, Michigan
National Register of Historic Places in Mackinac County, Michigan
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