Cemetery Gate and "Trespassers Beware" Sign
Introduction
Author-Uploaded Audio
Chief Manthe talks about the original boundaries of the cemetery, what has been lost to urban development and vandalism, and the need to protect what remains.
Text-to-speech Audio
At the time of the Conley Sister's successful defense of the cemetery, an iron gate was located just north of this location. Eliza Conley and her sisters chained the gates together and created a sign that declared "trespassers beware" in addition to their long legal fight and occupation of the cemetery.
Images
Artist Don Ballou's 1956 painting of the Conley Sisters with Fort Conley in the background and a sign reading "Trespassers Beware"
A view of the entrance to the cemetery in the 1950s from Minnesota Avenue with the former Huron Building in the background
An undated photo of Fort Conley
Sources
Interview of Wyandot Chief Judith Manthe with David Trowbridge, December 13, 2023.
Digital clippings file titled "Conley Pictures" shared by Wyandot Chief Judith Manthe with historian David Trowbridge in 2023
File titled "Conley Pictures" shared by Wyandot Chief Judith Manthe with historian David Trowbridge in 2023
File titled "Conley Pictures" shared by Wyandot Chief Judith Manthe with historian David Trowbridge in 2023