Keeper of the Light
Welcome to Wolcott Cemetary. I've lived in Ottawa County for many years, but know so little about local history. This cemetary was established with the death of Benajah Wolcott in 1832, making it the oldest christian burial ground in the county.
Benajah was among the first settlers on the Marblehead peninsula. He arrived in the area as part of a survey team. He returned to his home of Connecticut once the survey was completed, but later purchased 114 acres of land and returned to the peninsula with his wife and family.
Wolcott later became the first keeper of the Marblehead Lighthouse. His wife Rachel became keeper after Benajah's death, making her the first female lighthouse keeper on the Great Lakes.
The coordinates take you to a small parking lot. A stone trail to the northeast will take you through the woods and to the cemetary. The cemetary is fenced in and the gate will have a chain, but a sign will welcome you to enter the cemetary, but asks that you chain the gate again on your departure. If you do not wish to enter the actual cemetary, you do not have to. The cache is outside the fenced area at the following coordinates:
N 41° 31.057
W 82° 44.418
Please be very respectful of the area. It is, after all, a burial ground and a historical landmark. I really enjoyed this area, and never knew such a place was just off the beaten path. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
On your way out, be sure to stop at The Keepers House, which was Benajah's home. The Ottawa Historical Society offers regular tours of the home. For more information, visit The Keepers House. There is also further info on Wolcott Cemetary at deadohio.com.
This cache is part of the Spirit Quest series in Northwest Ohio. Please be respectful of the area and posted regulations. No night caching!
This cache placed by a member of
Northwest Ohio Geocachers