Indian Creek Pioneer Cemetery Traditional Cache
Indian Creek Pioneer Cemetery
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INDIAN CREEK CHURCH AND PIONEER BURIAL GROUNDS Not far from the small town of Reily, within the rural township of the same name, sits one of the many historic sites of Butler County. It has been almost two hundred years since the founding of the Indian Creek Church and Pioneer Burial Grounds (1810).
INDIAN CREEK CHURCH AND PIONEER BURIAL GROUNDS Not far from the small town of Reily, within the rural township of the same name, sits one of the many historic sites of Butler County. It has been almost two hundred years since the founding of the Indian Creek Church and Pioneer Burial Grounds (1810). Over these many years, the grounds have transitioned from a religious center into a cultural site. Even today, they remain an important connection to the past. The Indian Creek Church was founded by pioneer Baptists during the infancy of the United States. The area of Southwest Ohio was an untamed wilderness and shared with factions who were unfriendly to American expansion into the west. In 1810, Elder Wm. Tyner of Brookville, Indiana recalled a chance encounter with a Native American. Pausing to let his horse drink from Big Cedar Creek, he glanced up to see an “Indian standing motionless on the opposite bank with drawn bow, the arrow pointed at his heart… the Elder stared at the Indian, trying not to show his fright but he said it seemed an eternity before the Indian lowered his bow and melted into the forest” (Dedication, May 1985). That same year (1810), the Baptist congregation organized and bought three acres from Valentine Chase. The plot was divided so that the northern half became the first free burial grounds in Butler County. The following year, the Baptists built their first log church. This was replaced in 1830 with a brick building that still stands today. The congregation prospered throughout the middle of the century and then declined, officially dissolving on April 26, 1879. However, the church was used for Sunday and singing schools well into the 20th Century. The many markers at the site decipher the history of the area and also of the country. Many of those who are buried there were Scotch, Irish, English or Welsh. They came from Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Pioneers traveling further west buried their dead here, and continued their journey. Among those buried at the Pioneer Burial Grounds are Thomas Boone (cousin of Daniel Boone) and Pliny Barnum (related to P.T. Barnum of circus fame). Many additional graves are unmarked. In 1960, efforts to restore the Indian Creek Pioneer Church and Burial Grounds were undertaken by the Butler County Park District (MetroParks) with assistance from the Butler County Historical Society and Indian Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Association. These organizations focused on stabilizing the church structure, repairing damaged headstones, and planning public access. Today, the site remains in the stewardship of Butler County MetroParks. Because of the recent economic downturn, the park board considered closing the Indian Creek Pioneer Church and Burial Grounds to the public. Local citizens, and the Butler County Historical Society voiced concern at their April meeting. After closely considering the issue, the board decided to allow the parks to remain open. PLACEMENT OF THIS CACHE IS WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE BUTLER COUNTY METRO PARKS.
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(Decrypt)
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