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Arborcrest Cemetery's Four Chaplains Monument Surrounded By Weeds, July 1966 Photographer: Eck Stanger

Arborcrest Cemetery's Four Chaplains Monument Surrounded By Weeds, July 1966 image
Year:
1966
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, July 11, 1966
Caption:
Arborcrest's 'Memorial Garden' In Weeds. This healthy crop of weeds dominates the "memorial garden" of the Four Chaplains in Arborcrest Cemetery. The subject of a court battle started in 1961, the cemetery is supposed to be maintained under court order during the lawsuit which seeks to overturn the sale of most of the original 77-acre cemetery to the University. This "garden" and several others remain in the 17-acre parcel that still constitutes the cemetery under the sale agreement. Circuit Judge James R. Breakey Jr. said on June 21 that he would dictate an opinion ending the lengthy suit "within a week or two" unless all parties reached agreement before then. Neither a court opinion nor a settlement has come. (Other pictures on Page 29)

Partially Mowed Area In Overgrown Arborcrest Cemetery, July 1966 Photographer: Eck Stanger

Partially Mowed Area In Overgrown Arborcrest Cemetery, July 1966 image
Year:
1966
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, July 11, 1966
Caption:
Deciding that "the only way to get anything done is to do it yourself," one lotholder in Arborcrest Cemetery has transported his lawnmower and mowed to his burial plots from the road. This plot is in the Four Chaplains' Memorial Garden, down the hill from the large granite monument which is the focal point of this garden. A court-ordered plan for maintenance of the cemetery calls for a minimum of 40 hours per week with efforts concentrated in one memorial garden and its adjoining roadway at a time with weekly efforts to maintain the general condition of all the grounds, grass being cut and trees trimmed as necessary. Circuit Judge James R. Breakey Jr. demanded this maintenance plan after touring the weed-choked cemetery grounds on June 30, 1964.

Grave In Arborcrest Cemetery Obscured By Weeds, July 1966 Photographer: Eck Stanger

Grave In Arborcrest Cemetery Obscured By Weeds, July 1966 image
Year:
1966
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, July 11, 1966
Caption:
This and other burial plots in the Four Chaplains Memorial Garden at Arborcrest appear to have been untouched by mower since Memorial Day when the flag and artificial flowers were placed on this grave. Most of the ground level bronze markers in the cemetery can only be found by accident while walking through a sea of weeds which is generally at least knee-high. The weeds in this garden are higher than those in some of the other gardens, but in all but one of the four present gardens the ground level grave markers are obscured by high grass and weeds.

Four Chaplains Monument In Recently Mowed Arborcrest Cemetery, August 1966 Photographer: Cordray

Four Chaplains Monument In Recently Mowed Arborcrest Cemetery, August 1966 image
Year:
1966
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, August 4, 1966
Caption:
Arborcrest Cemetery Mowed. Mowing makes a big difference in the appearance of Arborcrest Cemetery. Covered with knee-high weeds which obscured floral arrangements and gravemarkers when pictures appeared in The News July 11, the markers and flowers are now within view, and the rolling land included in the 40-acre cemetery and its trees and bushes are neatly manicured. All this took place since a court decision on July 12, which restored the onetime 77-acre cemetery to a 40-acre cemetery. The cemetery was not well cared for during the course of the lawsuit which sought to overturn the sale of 60 acres of the 77 to the University. Circuit Judge James R. Breakey Jr. on July 12 ordered the U-M to return 23 acres.