Permission for the placement of this cache obtained from:
Fayette County Pioneer Cemetery Commission and Sextons
For more information regarding permission and access contact:
info@wuhistorical.com or http://fayettecountyiowa.org/HistoricalCenter.html
Cache Type
This cache is a traditional cache located within the boundaries of a Fayette County Pioneer Cemetery.
The cache is a camouflaged ammo can.
Why Are We Bringing You Here?
Faytte County hosts a number of Pioneer Cemeteries...currently twenty.
A Pioneer Cemetery is defined by Iowa law as having twelve or fewer burials in the last 50 years.
The Fayette County Pioneer Cemetery Commission restores, conserves and maintains these historical sites.
We are bringing you here to experience the unique history and monuments at these Pioneer Cemeteries.
While at the site, please take a moment to enjoy the markers indicated by the specified waypoints.
Meanings of the Cemetery Symbols
Many of the monuments in the Pioneer cemeteries have symbols on them.
This particular site has a wide range of symbols that are worth investigating.
Here are some of the symbols and common interpretations of their meaning:
Clasped hands – ‘Farewell to earthly existence’, also ‘unity’.
Hand pointing up – pointing to heaven.
Hand pointing down – the hand of God descending from heaven.
Tree of life – connects all creation
Lamb – innocence - often seen on a child’s gravestone.
Bird - Peace, God’s messenger.
The most common birds found on gravestones are doves.
Flowers:
Dogwood – Resurrection, eternal life;
Lily – youth, purity – sometimes tells how they died;
Fern – humility
Grapes – Blood of Christ;
Ivy - friendship
Drapery – Mourning
Leaving pebbles or stones on a grave marker is an old Jewish tradition of paying respect.
It means that you honor the deceased person's good deeds that he/she has done for you.
Please Note:
Respect
This is a place deserving respect from all visitors.
Please refrain from climbing upon the monuments.
Many of these markers are extremely fragile.
Please notify us if you see any damage.
Winter
It is possible during the winter for a monument to be covered wholly or partially with snow.
For obvious reasons, please no digging.
Please note: Hint leans towards being a spoiler!