Stone Stories: The King of Castle Village

Posted on August 30, 2026August 30, 2026 Posted in Stone StoriesTagged Canada, Canadian Cemeteries, Castle Village and Enchanted Kingdom, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Paul Des Roches, Stone Stories, TaphophileLeave a comment

Have you ever heard of Castle Village and the Enchanted Kingdom?

I hadn’t, until I spotted it while on a cemetery road trip a couple of years ago. As we drove along, a storybook castle suddenly appeared on the side of the road. It looked abandoned, and for a moment I wondered if I was seeing things.

What was a castle doing in the middle of rural Ontario? More importantly, why had it been left behind?

I made a note to research it later, and when I planned a recent day trip back to the area, I knew I had to make a couple of extra stops to finally check it out.

The castle was only part of the story. Behind it was the remarkable life of the man who built an entire fantasy world for families to enjoy, and whose final resting place is only a short drive away.

This is the story of Paul Des Roches and the dream he built.

Ceramic portrait of Paul Des Roches and his wife Julienne. Sainte-Croix Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lafontaine ON ©2026

Paul Vincent Des Roches was born on July 3, 1936, and was a talented woodworker, craftsman, and businessman who spent much of his life creating things with his hands.

In 1972, Paul built a castle near Midland, Ontario, with the goal of creating a unique place to sell his handmade crafts and woodworking.¹

Paul created items like birdhouses, candlesticks, and other wooden crafts, and his business became so successful that he was selling his creations almost as quickly as he could make them.¹

His gift shop eventually grew to offer nearly 10,000 items, including souvenir spoons and other collectibles.¹

What began as a small gift shop quickly became something much bigger. Paul continued expanding the property, eventually working with his daughter to transform the original seven-acre site into a 45-acre attraction filled with museum-like displays, and fantasy-themed areas for visitors to explore.¹

Castle Village And Enchanted Kingdom Park

Castle Village and Enchanted Kingdom was unlike anything else in the area. The castle featured towers, a water-spewing dragon, and a moat guarded by creatures from the underworld.¹

Inside the castle, visitors could explore a showroom that originally displayed early Canadian and American furniture before becoming the Museum of Medieval Arms, Armour and Heraldry.¹ The museum featured medieval weapons, life-sized suits of armour, and displays about heraldry, the study of coats of arms and their symbols.¹

In 1982, Paul added Dracula’s Dungeons, a horror-themed museum hidden beneath the castle.¹ Visitors entered by descending a spiral staircase covered in cobwebs before discovering prison cells featuring famous horror characters.¹

As the attraction continued to grow, Paul and his daughter created the Enchanted Kingdom Park, a fantasy-themed area built around an educational nature trail.¹

Visitors could explore fairy tale cottages inspired by familiar stories, like Snow White’s wishing well, and Hansel and Gretel’s candy house.¹ The park also featured Merlin the Magician’s Tower, a grist mill, a giant fountain, and an 80-foot suspension bridge crossing a pond.¹

Over the years, Castle Village became a popular tourist attraction, welcoming thousands of visitors and operating as a bilingual destination.¹ In 2005, the property received the Provincial Tourism Award from RDEE, a francophone economic development organization.¹

In 2008, Paul’s family decided it was time to pursue other interests and placed the property up for sale.¹ By then, Paul was 74 years old and dealing with health issues.¹

The property remained on the market for several years before being purchased in 2016 by businessman Deo Moreno, who introduced new attractions such as escape rooms, role-playing games, themed weddings, archery, and human foosball.¹

After closing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Castle Village never reopened. It is now listed as permanently closed.¹

When I visited, it felt like stepping into a forgotten storybook. Nature has slowly begun reclaiming parts of the property, but many of the buildings and structures still remain. It was easy to imagine families walking across the bridges, exploring the fantasy cottages, and discovering something new around every corner.

Even in its current state, Castle Village still reflects Paul’s creativity and determination.

Inside Castle Village

While I was researching Castle Village, I came across the work of photographer Mike Lalonde of Talking Walls Photography, who had the opportunity to photograph inside the property, and document what remains of this once-popular attraction. Mike was kind enough to give me permission to share some of his photographs..

During my visit, I didn’t venture inside, but toured the grounds from outside the fence. I was curious to see what the castle looked like inside. Mike’s photos offer a tiny glimpse of the spaces and artifacts that now sit in silence, covered in dust.

Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde

Sainte-Croix Roman Catholic Cemetery

After seeing Castle Village and learning about the man who built it, I wanted to find Paul Des Roches’ grave. That brought me to Sainte-Croix Roman Catholic Cemetery in Tiny Township.

Paul passed away on December 8, 2022, at the age of 86, following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.²

The cemetery was quiet when I arrived, much like Castle Village had been earlier in the day. As I searched through the cemetery, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was looking for. Then a ceramic portrait of the castle caught my eye.

I knew immediately that I had found Paul.

His gravestone features a ceramic portrait of Paul and his wife, along with a second portrait of his Enchanted Kingdom. It’s such a fitting detail for someone whose life was so closely tied to the place he had created.

I took a moment to pay my respects and thank Paul for bringing a little bit of whimsy and creativity into the world.

This story highlights one of my favourite things about visiting cemeteries. You never know where a little curiosity will take you or what you might uncover.

Paul had a dream and actually built it. Castle Village might be quiet now, but his creativity and imagination are still there. It’s a bit inspiring.

I think the world could use more people who are willing to dream up something a little different and make it happen. A little more whimsy wouldn’t hurt either.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Castle Village And Enchanted Kingdom in Midland Ontario | Talking Walls Photography
Paul’s Obituary | Budgell Funeral Home

Cemetery Recipes: Fried Ripe Tomatoes

Posted on August 23, 2026August 21, 2026 Posted in Cemetery Recipes, Tombstone RecipesTagged Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Cemetery Recipes, Fries Ripe Tomato Recipe, Gravestone Recipe, Recipe, TaphophileLeave a comment

You expect to find recipes in a cookbook, but sometimes you can find them carved into a gravestone.

That’s what makes cemetery recipes so interesting to me. They’re not just instructions for making something tasty. They’re also a little piece of someone’s life, preserved in stone for anyone who happens to come across it.

This month, I am trying a recipe for Fried Ripe Tomatoes that belongs to Whanitta Sheetz, whose gravestone can be found in Buck Street Cemetery in Pembroke, New Hampshire.

Whanitta (Parry) Sheetz was born in Vermont on September 26, 1941, and spent many years living in Pembroke, New Hampshire.¹ She and her husband, Marshall, owned and operated M & W Seafood Co. and the Maple Grove Campground.¹ She also worked as a mental health aide at the New Hampshire State Hospital and as a Disaster Team Member for FEMA.¹

Family was important to Whanitta. Her obituary describes her as someone who loved spending time with her family, especially cooking and playing games together. She was also an avid Red Sox fan, a nature lover, and an excellent cribbage player.¹

Whanitta died on January 16, 2015, at the age of 73. Her obituary notes that she was buried in Buck Street Cemetery that spring.¹

What makes her memorial especially interesting is the recipe for Fried Ripe Tomatoes engraved on her gravestone.

Whanitta’s Fried Ripe Tomato gravestone recipe. Buck Street Cemetery, Pembroke NH. Photo by Find a Grave contributor Randy Cummings.

It’s a simple recipe, and I think that’s part of what makes it a good one. Instead of a traditional epitaph, there’s a little piece of something Whanitta enjoyed making, left behind for others to discover.

The recipe, as engraved on the headstone:

Whanitta’s Fried Ripe Tomato Recipe

Ingredients: 3 large ripe tomatoes. 3 cups of flour. 3 tbs butter. 3 tbs olive oil. 1/2 cup milk.

Tools: Electric frying pan. Baking dish. Spatula.

Directions: Pre-heat pan to 350-400 degrees. Heat butter and olive oil in pan. Put flour in a dish for coating. Cut tomatoes into thick slices and dip in flour. When pan is hot, place tomatoes in the pan. Cook first side 4-6 minutes until dark brown. Flip and cook other side for 2-4 minutes. Place tomatoes in baking dish. Deglaze hot pan with milk by stirring milk in the pan until mixture becomes a little thicker (2-3 minutes). Pour milk mixture over the tomatoes and let it sit for 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy.

In the Kitchen

This simple recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients and has clear, straightforward instructions. I picked up a few nice, plump, ripe tomatoes at the grocery store, and that was really all I needed to buy. Or so I thought.

Once I got home and started getting everything together, I realized I didn’t have any milk. Luckily, my mom lives upstairs, so I borrowed some from her. She’s vegan though, which meant I ended up using almond milk instead. It seemed like a reasonable substitute, and luckily, it worked just fine.

There was one other change I had to make. The recipe specifically calls for an electric frying pan, and I don’t have one of those. So, I used a regular frying pan over medium-high heat and hoped for the best.

The recipe itself couldn’t be easier. I sliced up the tomatoes and put the flour on a dinner plate to give me a large enough surface to coat each slice. It was fun, although a little messy. I fried the tomatoes for the recommended amount of time and ended up having to cook them in two batches. Once they were done, I transferred them to a baking dish.

I then deglazed the frying pan with the almond milk and poured the mixture over the fried tomatoes. While they sat, I pan-seared a small steak to go with them.

I will admit I didn’t let them sit for a full 30 minutes. Once my steak was ready, I plated everything and dug in.

I have to admit, cooking tomatoes this way felt a little foreign to me. I’d never had them fried growing up, and I don’t remember ever seeing them on a menu, so these were completely new to me. But that’s exactly why I enjoy making these recipes.

These were good! They made a really easy side dish and would be a great addition to a summer BBQ.

I love that Whanitta’s recipe is still being made and shared years after her death. A recipe can be such a personal thing, especially when it’s connected to family, and putting one on a gravestone is certainly one way to make sure it’s never forgotten.

For me, that’s what makes these cemetery recipes so much fun. I get to learn a little about the person behind the recipe, and then I get to bring a small piece of their story into my own kitchen.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Whanitta Sheetz (Obituary) | Concord Monitor

Cemetery Book Review: Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries

Posted on August 16, 2026August 14, 2026 Posted in Book ReviewTagged Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries, America Through Time, Book Review, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Book Review, Cemetery Photography, Ed Snyder, Gravestone, TaphophileLeave a comment

Cemeteries are meant to be permanent places of remembrance, but history shows that isn’t always the case.

As cities grow and land becomes more valuable, burial grounds are sometimes neglected, relocated, or even erased. It’s a reminder that the places around us are constantly changing, and that some stories can easily be lost if no one takes the time to document them.

That’s what drew me to the work of cemetery photographer and writer Ed Snyder. I’ve been following Snyder on Instagram for a while, and I’ve also enjoyed reading his blog, The Cemetery Traveler. I even included his blog in a previous post about some of my favourite cemetery bloggers.

So, when I heard that he had released a new book, Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs, I was excited to check it out.

Here is the synopsis, from America Through Time:

“Since its inception, Philadelphia has created spaces for its dead. Some still exist, but many are gone or have been neglected and teeter on the edge of oblivion. Between 1850 and 1950, cemeteries across the nation disappeared as cities grew—developers wanted the land. Accompanied by Snyder’s photographs, the reader is taken through Philadelphia and surrounding areas, examining cemeteries of all sizes and eras—many that were destroyed in the name of progress.”

Published in 2025, as part of the America Through Time series, the book explores cemeteries in and around Philadelphia that have been abandoned, neglected, or even erased over time. Snyder explains that as cities expanded between 1850 and 1950, many cemeteries across the United States disappeared as developers sought land for growing communities.¹

The book takes readers on a tour of these forgotten places.

Some of the stories are surprising, including a graveyard that now sits beneath a playground, tombstones discovered in the Delaware River, and an abandoned burial ground hidden in the woods. While some stories are frustrating, others are encouraging. In a few cases, volunteers have stepped in to restore them.

Of course, the highlight of the book is the photography.

Snyder’s full colour images are beautiful and really help tell the story of each cemetery. The photos show both the beauty of these places and the reality of their condition. It’s obvious that he cares about documenting them before they disappear completely. Snyder approaches each one with curiosity and respect, which makes the book enjoyable even if you’re not already familiar with Philadelphia’s cemetery history.

Overall, Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs is a great read for anyone who enjoys history or has an interest in cemeteries. If you like forgotten places, local history, and cemetery photography, I think it’s worth adding to your reading list.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs | America Through Time

I am always on the hunt for cemetery-related book recommendations. If you are an author and have a cemetery-related book you would like me to review, please reach out at hello@chantallarochelle.ca. I would love to hear from you!

Stone Stories: Pamela Harvey’s Long Journey Home

Posted on August 9, 2026August 9, 2026 Posted in Stone StoriesTagged Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Pamela Harvey, Sudbury, Taphophile, Unsolved SudburyLeave a comment

Some stories stay with you for a long time. Pamela Harvey’s story was one of those, for me.

For decades, Pamela was one of Sudbury’s missing persons. Her name appeared on lists of unsolved cases and in newspaper articles. Her family spent years wondering what happened and hoping that one day they would finally know the truth.

After 47 years, that answer finally came.

Who Was Pamela Harvey?

Before Pamela Harvey became known as one of Sudbury’s missing persons, she was a daughter, a sister, a mother, and someone who loved adventure.

Pam, as her family called her, was born and raised in McKellar, Ontario. She was independent, headstrong, and always looking for new adventures.¹Shortly after turning 18, she moved west to British Columbia, where she met Richard “Rick” Rousseau.¹ The couple later welcomed their son, Ricky, but after their relationship ended, Pam returned to Ontario to raise her son closer to family.¹

Back in Ontario, Pam worked as a waitress in Parry Sound before moving to Sudbury in 1977.¹ Her family described her as bright, full of personality, and easy to befriend.¹ She worked hard to support her young son and build a life for the two of them.¹

In Sudbury, Pam lived with little Ricky in an apartment on Lloyd Street and worked at the Kingsway Hotel.¹ She was a devoted mother, so when her sister Cate received a call that Ricky had been left in someone else’s care and that Pam was gone, the family immediately knew something was wrong.¹

Pam’s family travelled to Sudbury to bring Ricky home and try to figure out what had happened. When they entered her apartment, they found her clothing, jewellery, and other personal belongings still there.¹ To them, it did not look like Pam had simply walked away from her life.¹

Pam was officially reported missing by her father, Gerald Harvey, on Christmas Day, 1978.¹ She was only 23 years old.

For decades, her family lived with unanswered questions about what had happened to her.

Unsolved

Over the years, questions remained about whether Pam may have known something connected to a violent incident that happened in Sudbury around the same time she disappeared.¹There were also questions about whether Pam may have witnessed a murder. Without knowing what happened to her, it remained one of the many unanswered questions surrounding her case.¹

I had the opportunity to work with local author Sarah May on her book Unsolved Sudbury, which featured Pam’s story. At the book launch, her son and other family members attended. It was amazing to have them there, but it was also heartbreaking. It was clear how much Pam was missed, and how large a space she had left behind in their family and their hearts.

One of the hopes behind the book was that by continuing to share these stories, new information might come forward and help bring answers to families who had been waiting for them.

Unsolved Sudbury: Missing, Murdered, Unexplained. by Sarah May.

Identified

After nearly five decades of questions and uncertainty, there was finally a breakthrough in the case.

In March 1979, the body of an unidentified woman was discovered in St-Eustache, Quebec.² Investigators determined that she had been the victim of a homicide, but her identity had remained unknown for decades.²

Although forensic technology was limited at the time, evidence collected during the original investigation was carefully preserved.² In 2026, a collaborative effort between the Sûreté du Québec, the Greater Sudbury Police Service, the Québec Coroner’s Office, and the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale used modern forensic methods, including DNA analysis, to identify the woman as Pamela Harvey.²

After decades of uncertainty, Pam’s family finally had some answers.

Although 47 years had passed, the evidence that helped identify Pam had been carefully preserved. It is a powerful reminder that preserving stories matters. The details we save today can help bring someone’s story back into the light years later.

When I read the news, I immediately thought back to that book launch and to Pam’s family. I thought about all the years they had spent hoping and looking for answers. Nothing can undo that kind of loss, but there is something meaningful about finally being able to give a name back to a person who had been unknown for so long.

Lakeview Cemetery, McKellar ON ©2026

Lakeview Cemetery

It was a bright and sunny day when I visited Lakeview Cemetery. The rural cemetery was quiet, and I wasn’t exactly sure where Pam was buried, so I walked the rows of headstones. I knew I was looking for a grey marker with two ceramic portraits on it.

After searching for a while, I spotted the stone in the distance. There was Pam’s face looking back at me.

Pam shares a gravestone with her father, Gerald, who passed away in 2015. Her mother, Yvonne, also has a place in the family plot and is still living. A ceramic portrait of Gerald and Yvonne sits beside the Harvey family name, while a portrait of Pam sits above her epitaph. It is the same portrait that was often used in the media when talking about her disappearance.

“Pamela Orlean
Mar. 7, 1955
Always loved. Never forgotten”

Her death date is still blank.

If I had walked up the left side of the cemetery first, I would have seen the Harvey name engraved on the back of the stone. Instead, I came upon Pam’s portrait first.

It was really moving to visit her gravestone in person. For the longest time, the stone had been a cenotaph, a memorial to someone whose final resting place was unknown.

I don’t know if Pam will eventually be brought home to rest beside her father. I hope she will. But there’s something comforting about knowing where she is now, even if many questions about what happened to her, still remain.

There was one thought I couldn’t shake as I stood there. Pam had been found nearly fifty years ago, but no one knew it was her.

The advances in forensic technology are pretty amazing.

Evidence that was collected nearly 50 years ago was still there, waiting for the technology that could finally give Pam her name back. I hope we continue to hear more stories like this, where missing people are identified, and families finally get the chance to bring their loved ones home, and find some closure.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Unsolved Sudbury by Sarah May | Book
Collaborative effort leads to identification of Missing Person, Pamela Harvey (1978 Greater Sudbury) | GSPS

Cemetery Road Trip: Cemeteries & Metal in Matane

Posted on July 5, 2026July 2, 2026 Posted in Road TripTagged Canada, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Cemetery Tourism, Gaspesian Metal Fest, Matane, Matane Lighhouse, Quebec, Sandveiss, TaphophileLeave a comment

At the beginning of June, my fiancé and I packed up the car and headed east to Matane, Quebec, for the Gaspesian Metal Fest. Since it’s about a 14-hour drive from home, we decided to turn the trip into a full cemetery road trip adventure!

Our first stop was Gatineau, where we stayed with an old friend for the night. While we were there, he took us to a very cool spot in Ottawa called Pub Italia. The place had such an interesting vibe. The decor was full of vintage church pieces and religious items, most of them apparently thrifted over the years. It honestly felt like wandering through an old church basement, mixed with a pub. They also have something called the Beer Bible, which was a massive menu packed with beer choices from all over the place. It was fun flipping through and seeing the huge variety they offered. They don’t serve flights, but they were happy to offer samples so you could try a few different beers before deciding.

The following morning, we hit the road again and made the long drive the rest of the way to Matane. After spending so many hours in the car, we were more than happy to stretch our legs once we arrived. Matane sits right beside the St. Lawrence River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, so the entire town has beautiful seaside views.

The tide was out when we stopped along the shore, so we wandered out across the rocks and walked the beach for a little bit. Chris found a piece of sea glass, and I found a couple of empty crab shells that absolutely came home with me. I can’t resist bringing home little nature treasures from road trips.

After checking into our hotel, we headed downtown to visit the local craft brewery and grab supper. We ordered deep fried pickles that we both agreed were some of the best we’ve ever had. We also had a couple of beer flights so we could sample different brews.

The next morning was dedicated to cemetery exploring.

The first cemeteries we visited were right along the coast, and the ocean views were beautiful. Some of them had large statues, mixed in with smaller obelisks and older gravestones. I also started noticing similarities in the cemetery gates as we visited more places. A couple of them had “R.I.P.” worked directly into the gate designs, which I thought was an interesting detail.

One thing I noticed on my last Quebec cemetery road trip was that many cemeteries seem to simply take the name of the town they are located in instead of having distinct names like Woodland Cemetery or Parklawn Cemetery. That seemed to be true in eastern Quebec as well. Most of the cemeteries didn’t have signs at the entrances. Instead, I found a few stones deeper inside the cemeteries that had the cemetery names carved into them.

Between cemetery stops, we visited the Matane Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. This ended up being one of the highlights of the trip for me. Built in 1907, the lighthouse still overlooks the shoreline and has become one of Matane’s best-known landmarks. We practically had the whole place to ourselves, so we wandered through the exhibits before climbing to the top of the lighthouse.

The audio tour was well done, and part of the experience included carrying a large keyring filled with old skeleton keys to the lighthouse tower itself. Since the tower stays locked, you need the key to make your way up the spiral staircase, which honestly made it feel like we were lighthouse keepers heading up to check on the light.

The tour ended with a local folktale about mermaids that claimed sea glass was actually mermaid tears. That felt especially fitting since Chris had found a piece of sea glass the day before. Folklore can be such a fun part of travelling because every area seems to have its own stories and legends.

After the lighthouse, we visited a few nearby villages and stopped at a couple more cemeteries before grabbing lunch. The last cemetery we visited was right across the street from a Dixie Lee, so it felt like a natural place to stop and grab something to eat after exploring. We ended up learning it was actually a chain restaurant, but it hit the spot after a busy morning on the road.

Matane is pretty well known for its shrimp and seafood. We had been hoping to try shrimp poutine and lobster rolls while we were there, but unfortunately we were a little too early in the season. I still managed to get some popcorn shrimp at Dixie Lee though, so at least I got a small taste of the local seafood.

Later that afternoon, we freshened up and headed to the Gaspesian Metal Fest. The venue is right on the waterfront, so it was easy to settle in on the patio with a drink, listen to the bands, and watch the waves roll in at the same time.

That night, we had supper with the guys from Sandveiss, who we had travelled specifically to see. They were super cool, and we had some good conversations throughout the evening. Their set was fantastic and completely worth the drive.

Before leaving, we grabbed some band merch and said goodbye to everyone. The only disappointing part was missing out on the festival t-shirt because they had completely sold out by the time we got there. The design featured a shrimp throwing the horns, which honestly sounds perfect for a metal festival in Matane.

The next day was spent driving the 14 hours back home. Since the trip back was so long, we didn’t stop at any cemeteries along the way, though I definitely took screenshots on Google Maps for future trips.

By the time we finally got home, we were both exhausted, sore, and very ready to sleep. Still, it was such a fun trip, and I am really glad we turned a concert weekend into a full cemetery road trip adventure.

Thanks for reading!

Cemetery Book Review: Hillside Cemetery

Posted on May 3, 2026May 3, 2026 Posted in Book ReviewTagged Buried America, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Book Review, Cemetery Photography, Hillside Cemetery, JoEllen Hundeland, Photography Book, TaphophileLeave a comment

Ever wandered through a cemetery and wished you could hear the stories hidden beneath the headstones? That’s exactly the experience Hillside Cemetery, Middletown, New York: Beyond the Graves by JoEllen Hundeland offers.

I had planned to share a cemetery recipe post this week, but I didn’t get a chance to do any baking. So instead, I’m switching things up with a cemetery book review. This little book blends history, photography, and storytelling, taking you into one of New York’s most historic cemeteries and introducing the people who shaped the community.

Hillside Cemetery was established in 1861, right in the middle of the Civil War.¹ Spread across more than 50 acres in the Hudson Valley, it was designed as a rural cemetery, a place where the living could visit, reflect, and honour the dead.¹ Hundeland’s book captures the cemetery’s charm and history, highlighting its large obelisks, mausoleums, and winged angels that watch over the graves. The book explores the stories of some of Middletown’s early settlers, war heroes, and influential families, showing how their lives shaped the area.

Here is the book synopsis, from Goodreads:

“Established in 1861 during the Civil War, Hillside Cemetery in Middletown, New York, is bountiful in history, art, and unique beauty. Nestled on over 50 acres in the Hudson Valley, Hillside is both peaceful and charming. Originally, it was designed as a “rural” cemetery where the living could come to grieve and honor their dead in their eternal slumber. 160 years later, Hillside continues to be a place of remembrance and solitude, but it has evolved into so much more. Moving away from the traditional churchyards and family cemeteries, Hillside welcomed all. The grand obelisks, prominent mausoleums, and the towering, winged angels pointing to the heavens continue to honor Middletown’s former residents, many who were pillars of their community almost two centuries ago. Buried here are some of the area’s first settlers, war heroes, industry pioneers, influential families, and countless others who left vital contributions in their passing. Middletown has a colorful history, and Hillside reflects this. Under these headstones lie people who lived lives filled with heroism, determination, tragedy, and triumph, just like us. Within the gates of idyllic Hillside Cemetery, the dead have stories to tell, and their legacies live on beyond the grave.”

Hundeland is originally from Orange County, New York, and developed an interest in local history at an early age.² With family and friends rooted in Middletown, she became especially drawn to Hillside Cemetery.² She later combined this love for history with her passion for photography, which shines through in the book.²

This book is part of the Buried America series by America Through Time. Other authors in the series include Tui Snider and Jane Hopkins, whom some of you may recognize from other cemetery-related books I’ve reviewed on the blog. This series focuses on historic cemeteries across the United States, uncovering the stories of those laid to rest and their cultural and historical significance.

I really enjoyed Hundeland’s photography. Her style reminded me of my own approach to cemetery photography. The book is short and easy to read, which makes it approachable even for someone just browsing for inspiration or history. I did feel like the layout could be improved a little bit. A lot of the text appears first, with the photos coming afterward. The layout might flow better if the graves of the families mentioned appear directly after their stories. Despite this, the book still succeeds at showing what makes Hillside Cemetery unique and historically important.

If you enjoy learning about local history, exploring cemeteries, or simply appreciating beautiful photography, this book is worth a look. It’s a light read that offers both stories and visuals. This makes it a great addition to any cemetery lover’s collection or for anyone interested in historic cemeteries in the United States. After reading this one, I’m definitely looking forward to picking up more books from the Buried America series.

Next week, I’m planning to make up for the missed baking and share a new cemetery recipe, so stay tuned.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Hillside Cemetery, Middletown, New York: Beyond the Graves by JoEllen Hundeland | Goodreads
JoEllen Hundeland biography | America Through Time

Rethinking Gravestone Rubbings

Posted on April 26, 2026April 23, 2026 Posted in GeneralTagged Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Gravestone, Gravestone Rubbings, Preservation, TaphophileLeave a comment

If you have ever wandered through a cemetery with me, you already know I tend to slow right down. I look at everything. The lettering, the symbols, the little details that most people walk right past. It’s one part curiosity, and one part appreciation.

Gravestone rubbing is one of those things I have heard about for years but never actually tried, and after looking into it more, I don’t think I will. It always sounded kind of fun in theory. A little bit of history, a little bit of art. But once I started digging into it, I realized it might not be as harmless as it seems.

Gravestone rubbing is the process of placing paper over a headstone and gently rubbing it with charcoal, crayon, or graphite to capture the inscription and design underneath.¹ The raised lettering and carvings transfer onto the paper, and the results can be surprisingly detailed.

The practice has been around for a long time and really took off in the 19th and 20th centuries as a way to record older or hard-to-read stones.² It was especially popular with historians and genealogists trying to preserve inscriptions before they faded away.

One of the most well-known examples comes from Daniel and Jessie Lie Farber.³ Over several decades, they created thousands of gravestone rubbings between 1938 and 1969, documenting early American gravestone art in incredible detail. The Farber Gravestone Collection is still referenced today, and even without seeing the stones in person, you can get a real sense of how intricate and expressive these carvings can be. Some of the rubbings feel almost like artwork on their own, capturing not just names and dates, but patterns and symbolism that would otherwise be easy to miss.

Know Better, Do Better

This is where things get a little tricky.

Even though gravestone rubbing was once seen as helpful, it’s now widely frowned upon.

The biggest reason is pretty simple: it can cause damage.

Even a gentle rubbing puts pressure on the surface of a stone. Many older stones, especially ones made of slate, sandstone, or marble, are already fragile after years of weather exposure.⁴ When you add repeated rubbing into the mix, it can lead to flaking, cracking, or losing those fine details altogether.

A really good example of this is the Bean Puzzle Tombstone. It’s a unique and popular stone that has had a lot of hands on it over the years, including people doing rubbings.⁵ You can actually see how all that attention has added up over time.

The Bean Puzzle Tombstone. Rushes Cemetery, Wellesley ON ©2024

Because of concerns like this, gravestone rubbing is now illegal in some U.S. states and restricted in others.⁶ In Canada, it’s not outright illegal, but many cemeteries have their own rules against it or require permission first.

Groups like Cemetery Conservators for United Standards have also spoken out about it.⁷ Their focus is on protecting these stones for the long term, which usually means limiting physical contact as much as possible.

Alternatives

The good news is you don’t have to miss out on those details.

One method I always find kind of clever is the mirror method. You use a mirror to reflect sunlight across the surface of the stone at an angle, which helps bring out the lettering and carvings.⁷ It’s simple, but it works. If you don’t have a mirror handy, even a flashlight can do the trick.

Doon Pioneer Cemetery also known as Schoerg_Betzner Family Cemetery, Kitchener ON ©2024

And of course, there is photography.

This is my go-to. You can capture everything you need without ever touching the stone. Changing your angle or adjusting the lighting can reveal details you might not have noticed at first glance.

The more I learn about cemetery practices, the more I realize how much things change over time. What once seemed like a good idea does not always hold up, especially when preservation is involved.

As much as I love the idea of gravestone rubbings, it’s not something I see myself trying.

For me, it always comes back to that same mindset I bring into every visit: respect the space and leave it as you found it. Do no harm.

There are so many ways to document and share these stories without causing damage. Sometimes all it takes is a little patience and a different way of looking at things.

Thanks for reading!

References:

How To Do A Proper Monument Rubbing | Summit Memorials
Headstone Rubbing: Can It Preserve History? | Legacy Headstones
About | The Farber Gravestone Collection
Gravestone Rubbings | Connecticut Gravestone Network
Bean Puzzle Tombstone | Atlas Obscura
Grave Rubbings: Etiquette, Permission, and Technique to Protect Historic Stones | Funeral.com
Reading Stones Basics | Cemetery Conservators for United Standards

Stone Stories: Stompin’ Tom Connors and a Sudbury Saturday Night

Posted on April 19, 2026 Posted in Stone StoriesTagged Canada, Canadian Cemeteries, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Photography, Ontario, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Stone Stories, Sudbury, Sudbury Saturday Night, Taphophile, TravelLeave a comment

“The glasses they will tinkle while our eyes begin to twinkle, and we think no more of Inco on a Sudbury Saturday Night”¹

If you are familiar with these lyrics and catchy tune, you might be from Northern Ontario.

Sudbury Saturday Night, released in 1967, just might be Northern Ontario’s signature song. It was written in the mid-1960s by legendary country and folk singer Stompin’ Tom Connors.² I grew up listening to this and other Stompin’ Tom songs, having been born and raised in Sudbury.

So, when I saw that a road trip with my mom would take me close to the final resting place of this music icon, I knew we had to make the small detour and pay our respects.

Stompin’ Tom Connors at the Peterborough Memorial Center in 2002. 6darlinp at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

Thomas Charles Connors

Thomas Charles Connors was one of Canada’s most recognizable folk and country storytellers. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick to a young single mother, his early years were shaped by poverty and constant moving as he and his mother moved from place to place, often struggling to get by.³ After being placed in the care of the New Brunswick Children’s Aid Society, he was eventually sent to live with a family in Skinner’s Pond, Prince Edward Island.³ By the age of fourteen, he had left and begun hitchhiking across Canada, starting the journey that would define much of his life.³

With his guitar and a growing collection of songs, he spent years travelling from town to town, writing about the people he met and the places he passed through.⁴ Those experiences would go on to shape the storytelling style he would become known for, rooted in everyday Canadian life, small towns, and working people.⁴

He earned the nickname “Stompin’ Tom” because of his habit of stomping his boot on a piece of plywood during his shows to keep rhythm, which became part of his signature sound and stage presence.³

What really set him apart was how strongly he stayed rooted in Canada. At a time when many artists were pushed toward the American music industry, he deliberately chose to stay north of the border and write about Canadian places, people, and experiences.⁵ His songs often feel like snapshots of everyday life, from rail yards to hockey rinks, and that grounded storytelling is a big part of why he is still so widely remembered.

One of his most iconic songs, Sudbury Saturday Night, captures the feeling of a working-class weekend in Northern Ontario and continues to be closely tied to Sudbury’s identity.²

Stompin’ Tom passed away from natural causes in 2013 at the age of 77.⁶ In the days leading up to his death, he wrote a handwritten letter to his fans, thanking them for the support they had shown him throughout his career and life.⁶

Erin Cemetery

Stompin’ Tom Connors is buried at Erin Cemetery in Erin, Ontario, alongside the ashes of his mother.⁷ It’s a small rural cemetery in a town southwest of Toronto, surrounded by rolling countryside where life moves at a slower, more peaceful pace.

On a road trip that took me through the area, I knew this was a stop I couldn’t pass by. There’s something powerful about standing in front of a name you have heard in music your whole life, now carved into stone in a quiet place like this. It shifts the experience from listening to someone’s story to standing directly in the space where part of it now rests.

It was a beautiful summer day when we visited back in July 2024. The sun was bright, and there really was not much shade anywhere in the cemetery. It’s a very open space, except for a small tree-lined area in the west corner. That just happens to be where Connors is laid to rest, which felt like a bit of quiet luck on a hot day.

His black granite gravestone immediately stands out, both for its design and for everything left around it. The stone features a portrait of Connors in profile with his guitar, set in front of an outlined map of Canada, a simple but meaningful tribute. There is also a Bible verse inscribed on the stone, adding another personal layer to the memorial.

What really caught my attention were the items people had left behind. There was an assortment of coins and small stones, some inscribed with place names like P.E.I. and Timmins, which made it feel like visitors were leaving a piece of where they came from. There was also a small wooden guitar, a bottle opener, and a guitar pick, among other things. Each item felt intentional, like a quiet nod to who he was and the stories he told through his music.

There was no one else in the cemetery when we were there, but it did not feel empty. It felt like a place that is visited often, where people stop in, leave small tokens behind, and take a moment before moving on. It doesn’t feel like a tourist stop. It feels like a place where people keep a quiet conversation going with his music and memory.

A Sudbury Connection

Even though Stompin’ Tom Connors is buried in Erin, his connection to Sudbury runs deep.

Sudbury Saturday Night is arguably one of his most well-known songs, painting a picture of workers heading out to unwind after a long week.² Over time, it has become closely tied to Sudbury’s identity and is often treated as an unofficial local anthem. The song continues to appear in community projects and tributes that celebrate both the city and its working-class roots.⁸

There is also a long-standing legend tied to the Townehouse Tavern, where Connors was performing in the mid-1960s. According to local accounts, he was playing a multi-week run at the bar when he wrote Sudbury Saturday Night, inspired by the energy of the room and the people around him.⁹

That connection is also visible in the bronze statue of Stompin’ Tom outside the Sudbury Community Arena. The statue, sculpted by Tyler Fauvelle, captures him mid-performance.⁶ His left hand is positioned for a C chord, one of the main chords used in Sudbury Saturday Night.¹⁰ It reflects how deeply his music has become part of the city’s identity and landscape.

Sudbury’s live music scene still carries that same spirit forward, especially at places like The Townehouse Tavern. The venue has long supported Canadian talent, regularly welcoming both local musicians and touring artists from across the country. In many ways, it continues the same spirit Connors championed, giving Canadian voices a stage and keeping grassroots music culture alive in the city.

Together, the song, the statue, and the local music scene show how one artist’s work can become part of a place’s identity in a lasting way.

Visiting Stompin’ Tom Connors’ grave feels like stepping into a quieter side of a very loud legacy. His music is still deeply present in Northern Ontario, and standing at his resting place adds a different kind of weight to songs that already feel familiar.

It made that small road trip detour feel completely worth it, and reminded me just how closely music, memory, and place can be connected.

Thanks for reading

References:

Sudbury Saturday Night lyrics | Lyric Find
What’s Ontario’s signature song? The case for ‘Sudbury Saturday Night,’ by Stompin’ Tom Connors | TVO Today
The Icon | Stompin’ Tom Centre
Stompin’ Tom Connors | The Canadian Encyclopedia
How Timmins gave Stompin’ Tom Connors his first break | TVO Today
Stompin’ Tom Connors dies at 77 | CBC
Tom Connors | Find a Grave
And we’ll all make a music video … on a Sudbury Saturday Night | Sudbury.com
Memorial Stomp for Tom, Saturday |Sudbury.com
Stompin’ Tom Connors statue unveiled in downtown Sudbury | CBC

Cemetery Book Review: Titanic Victims in Halifax Graveyards

Posted on April 12, 2026April 4, 2026 Posted in Book ReviewTagged Blair Beed, Book Review, Canada, Canadian Cemeteries, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Book Review, Cemetery Photography, Taphophile, Titanic, Titanic Cemeteries, Titanic Victims in Halifax GraveyardsLeave a comment

April always makes me think of the Titanic. It’s hard not to, with the anniversary of that tragic sinking approaching. This year, I spent some time reading Titanic Victims in Halifax Graveyards, a book my mom found while thrifting. She’s always been fascinated by Titanic history, and after finishing it, she knew I would love it too, so she passed it along.

Written by Blair Beed and first published in 2001, this book is a deep dive into the stories of Titanic victims who ended up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Beed, a Halifax resident, brings his experience as a tour guide and tourism professional to the page, giving the book both historical context and local insight.

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:

“For eighty-five years dozens of victims of one of the most famous ships in history rested quietly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, until the 1997 film Titanic created a renewed interest in the burial sites. Visitors to Halifax have many questions about the city’s connection to the infamous ship. Of the 328 bodies found, why were some buried at sea? Why were 59 bodies sent elsewhere for burial and the rest buried in Halifax? Titanic Victims in Halifax Graveyards answers those questions while telling the intriguing and little-known story of the 150 passengers and crew who were buried in the port city of Halifax. Using official reports and newspaper articles, author Blair Beed provides an outline of life on board the Titanic, describes society as it was in 1912, and highlights the care for the dead taken by the crews of the recovery ships and those who met them on arrival in Halifax. This revised edition, with two new chapters and an updated design, is an important addition to any Titanic library.”

I love that my copy still had the receipt tucked inside. It was purchased at the Maritime Museum in Halifax, which houses many Titanic artifacts. It may seem odd, but I’ve kept the receipt with the book. It feels like a small, tangible connection to the city and the history it preserves.

The book is meticulously researched, walking readers through the victims’ stories with care and detail. It would make an excellent companion if you’re planning to visit the Halifax cemeteries, which I hope to do someday. I’d love to take my mom along too, since she shares my fascination with this history.

The details blew me away! From the recovery mission itself, to how every piece of clothing and even tattoos were documented to help identify the victims. I also appreciated how Beed organizes the book: part historical narrative, part cemetery guide, making it easy to follow the locations and stories of each burial site.

I absolutely loved this book. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in Titanic history, Halifax’s maritime past, or even just those with a morbid curiosity. It’s incredible to realize how much there is still to learn about this tragic event, even 114 years later.

Thanks for reading!

Cemetery Stories: Canada’s Largest Cemetery

Posted on March 29, 2026March 27, 2026 Posted in Cemetery StoriesTagged Canada, Canada’s Largest Cemetery, Canadian Cemeteries, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Cemetery Stories, Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Gravestone, Montreal, Quebec, TaphophileLeave a comment

Some cemeteries are small and quiet, tucked behind a church or hidden along a country road. Others are so large they feel more like cities for the dead. Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges in Montreal definitely falls into that second category.

Located on the slopes of Mount Royal, this cemetery is the largest in Canada and one of the largest in North America. With winding roads, towering monuments, and thousands of trees, it feels less like a cemetery and more like a historic park filled with stories.

History

Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges was founded in 1854 by the parish of Notre-Dame in Montreal. The first burial took place on May 29, 1855, for a 35-year-old Irish woman named Jane Gilroy.¹ Earlier cemeteries had been located near churches, but space and hygiene concerns, along with a 1853 city bylaw, forced a move to Mount Royal.¹

Sitting on the mountain gives the cemetery symbolic meaning in Catholic tradition, representing hope for the promised resurrection. Surrounded by nature, it also offers a quiet place for reflection. Walking among the trees and winding paths, visitors can feel the combination of history, art, and natural beauty all at once, which also makes it a great spot for photography.

Today, Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges is recognized as the largest cemetery in Canada and the third largest in North America.²

The cemetery was designed during a time when burial grounds were being reimagined as peaceful landscapes rather than crowded churchyards. Its layout was influenced by the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, with winding paths, scenic views, and carefully planned monuments.³

Over the years, the cemetery has become the final resting place for many notable Canadians, including hockey legend Maurice “The Rocket” Richard, beloved folk singer La Bolduc, music producer and talent manager René Angélil, and Sir Georges-Étienne Cartier, one of the “Fathers of Confederation”.⁴

The cemetery also functions as a large natural park, with more than 13,500 trees spread across its grounds.³ Because of its historical, cultural, and artistic importance, the cemetery was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1999.⁵

Haunted

With a cemetery this old and this large, it probably comes as no surprise that there are plenty of ghost stories attached to it.

One of the most well-known spirits is that of Sarah Ellen Page King, also called Sadie. Witnesses say her grave site is haunted by the sounds of a woman and infant weeping and crying.⁶ Sadie’s story is a tragic one. After losing her infant son George, she was sent to the Saint-Jean-de-Dieu Lunatic Asylum, likely for depression, and remained there for 24 years until she died in 1946.⁶ Her family never visited or even acknowledged her, and when she was buried beside her son, no tombstone was placed in her memory.⁶

While other alleged spirits haunt the cemetery, Sadie’s story is the one most often told for its tragic and haunting presence.⁶

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it’s easy to see how the atmosphere of such a large and historic place could spark a few spooky legends.

My Visit

I visited in July of last year while I was in Montreal with my fiancé. He had a tattoo appointment, which meant I had some time to myself.

Naturally, I decided to spend it wandering around the cemetery.

Before I arrived, I made a short list of graves I wanted to visit, including “The Rocket” Richard and La Bolduc.

Even with Google Maps to guide me, I still got completely turned around. At one point, I wandered over to the maintenance office just as a bus full of workers was about to head out for the workday. I asked them for directions to the main office, and they kindly offered me a ride. I accepted and took a seat near the front.

They were the grass crew heading out to cut grass and clean up weeds around the cemetery. I happened to be wearing a T-shirt with my logo on it, which sparked a few curious questions. When I told them I was a cemetery photographer, they seemed genuinely interested. Everyone was very kind, and after a short drive, they dropped me off at the main office before heading off to start their workday.

I always try to visit the cemetery office, when there is one, because you never know what kind of interesting things they might have. The office was fairly busy, so I didn’t want to take up too much of their time. I asked if they had any brochures or maps, and they were able to give me a few pamphlets and they had a small booklet for sale. The only booklet they had left was in French, but I happily bought it anyway, since my mother speaks French and could translate it for me later.

Booklet, map and pamphlet from Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Montreal QC

To say the cemetery is big is an understatement.

I spent several hours walking the grounds and still only saw a small portion of it. It also happened to be an extremely hot day, so I took plenty of breaks in shady spots to cool down and catch my breath.

I did not manage to visit every grave on my list, but that just means I will have to go back and explore another section of the cemetery.

Even after several hours of walking, I felt like I had only scratched the surface of Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges. The size alone makes it an adventure, and every path seems to lead to another interesting monument or historic grave.

Next time I visit Montreal, this cemetery will definitely be on my list again. After all, there are still plenty of stories waiting to be discovered.

Thanks for reading!

References:

History and Heritage | Cimetiere Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges
Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges | Find a Grave
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery | Tourisme Montreal
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery | Atlas Obscura
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery National Historic Site of Canada | Parks Canada
Haunted Montreal Blog #96 – Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery | Haunted Montreal

Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle

Tag: Cemetery Photography

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Cemetery Book Review: Hillside Cemetery

Rethinking Gravestone Rubbings

Know Better, Do Better

Alternatives

Stone Stories: Stompin’ Tom Connors and a Sudbury Saturday Night

Thomas Charles Connors

Erin Cemetery

A Sudbury Connection

Cemetery Book Review: Titanic Victims in Halifax Graveyards

Cemetery Stories: Canada’s Largest Cemetery

History

Haunted

My Visit