ARIANNA MCKEE/THE EXPRESS
The entrance to Highland Cemetery is pictured above.
(Editor’s Note: The Express is running multiple pieces regarding the historic Highland Cemetery to highlight its importance to the community.)
LOCK HAVEN — On the beautiful mountain behind Lock Haven University sits the oldest, largest and most historic cemetery in the city — Highland Cemetery — which opened 1862 and has over 9,000 grave sites that cover approximately 17 acres, of the total 50 acres of serene and natural forest land in Clinton County.
The Highland Cemetery Company is a non-profit organization with a volunteer group of citizens who want to see Highland restored and cared for the way it should and can be.
Philip and Matilda Price moved to Lock Haven in 1861, bought 50 acres of wooded land overlooking the Susquehanna River and promptly gifted it for the formation of Highland Cemetery Company in 1862. It was incorporated in 1866 and was designated as a 501C3 non-profit on May 15, 2010. As stewards of this land and purpose, Highland is to be held consistent with the view of the founder, Philip, and his wife, Matilda Greentree, who deeded the land to the company to, “afford a secure and undisturbed place of repose for the remains of the departed and of agreeable resort and calm reflection for surviving relatives and friends.” The Highland Company board tries hard to honor their wishes to the best of its abilities as reflected in their mission state:
“The Highland Cemetery Company is dedicated to the purpose of providing a dignified final resting place for deceased persons, as well as, a calm and secure reflection for surviving relatives and friends.”
Recently, however, Highland Cemetery has faced setbacks beyond their control, in terms of maintaining the historic cemetery.
The board is pleading with the community to bear with them as they tackle this transition.
The board is asking members of the community to consider donating to the upkeep of the cemetery and for patience as its volunteers keep the cemetery well kept.
“Our forefathers who organized the Highland Cemetery Company in 1861 could not have chosen a more peaceful or scenic location. When properly cared for, Highland could be very simply one-of-a-kind,” a release from the board said.
However, in 1861 the founders couldn’t have known the huge financial burden the care of this large cemetery would become.
“For example, lots in 1861 were selling for $16 and the Highland Company had a budget of $1,000 a year,” a release said.
Today, the two main sources of income for Highland Cemetery are a trust that was set up many years ago to support its needs and a fee paid for by the United States Government for veterans graves.
“There is also supplemental income from the sale of lots, road fees, donations and memorials. The trust has been held with a bank for all these years and with current interest rates, fees and many expenses now… it is not generating the funding necessary to maintain Highland in any way near the way it should be kept,” the release said.
According to its board, the 2024 budget will “never be covered by the current income flow.”
About 85 percent of the total budget is put towards mowing, weed eating and blowing grass off of graves that cover 17 acres of land.
“It is not an easy cemetery to mow because of the many steep hills and just the vastness of the property,” the release said. “We have a wonderful team now, taking care of the land and they do a wonderful job.”
According to its board, Highland Cemetery’s expenses for maintenance are endless.
“There is property damage that must be fixed, signage that must be done to keep visitors from going into the wrong areas, trees to be taken down, cut up and hauled away, road work, vandalism, creating new areas of concentration, resetting of falling headstones and broken ones, landscape upkeep, mowing, trash removal and more,” the release said. “The board of directors want people to visit Highland who have family interred there, as well as visitors who are respectful and want to just enjoy its calming influence — to sit awhile or walk and enjoy the serenity of Highland Cemetery.”
Due to vandalism and safety concerns, the board requests those who wish to visit the cemetery do so between April 1 and December 1 of each year.
“The roads are very dangerous during the winter months and the cemetery is considered closed in that time,” the release said. “Last year, a truck went into the cemetery when the roads were solid ice. It slid off the steep roadway and ruined some tombstones in their path.”
According to a report from the board, the vehicle did not overturn and no one was hurt.
Not only is Highland Cemetery’s board looking for help financially, they’re also looking for members to join its board.
It was noted by Board member Cindy Love, you do not have to have a relative buried in the cemetery to join.
“When we rewrote the by-laws, we took out the part that said you had to have somebody buried in Highland in order to be a part of the board of directors. I have nobody buried there, I just have a passion for it,” Love said. “The board welcomes anyone who would like to be involved in any way.”
For information about joining the Highland board in any capacity, please contact Love at 570-660-2012.
To make a donation or gift, please sent to: Carmen Banfill, Highland Cemetery, Box 93, Lock Haven, PA 17745.
Highland Cemetery Company is a 501C3(13) non-profit organization, and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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