Hugo Neighborhood Association & Historical Society
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Hugo Neighborhood Association & Historical Society |
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PVC: TOMBSTONE ANALYSIS Brochure 63 in Hugo's Pioneers
Brochure Series
Evertte-Elizabeth Neely Tombstone Pleasant Valley Cemetery (PVC): 1880s - 2008 The tombstone analysis documented a comparative analysis of stone in the Quarry Site and tombstones in the PVC. It is a companion and supporting document to the assessment entitled, Hugo Granite Tombstone Quarry Site: Preliminary Resource Assessment.1-3 The hypothesis tested was if the Quarry Site provided tombstones for the PVC during the quarry’s operational years from ca., 1880s to 1929 when it ceased operation. The purpose of the analysis was to conduct and document a visual comparative analysis of rubble, squared, and finished stones at, or from, the Quarry Site, and tombstones in the PVC. The historic Quarry Site was operational ca., 1880s through 1929. The Hugo Tombstone Quarry Inventory Stewards felt it classified as a site and had a high probability of qualifying for the National Register of Historic Places. The site possesses significance in American history, archeology, engineering, and culture when evaluated within the historic context of Josephine County’s history. Regionally the Quarry Site is a rare site as there were, and are, no other known granitic tombstone quarries in Josephine County. The site retains its integrity in relation to the aspects of location, design, setting, workmanship, materials, and association to several historic contexts. Historically the site is related to the Applegate Trail, Oregon & California Railroad, the emigrant PVC, and homesteading. Tombstone Analysis: 1880s - 1920s The site is a time capsule of old quarrying and tombstone shaping techniques without the use of modern transportation and stone cutting technology. The tombstone analysis conducted and documented a visual comparative analysis of rubble, squared, and finished stones at, or from, the Quarry Site and tombstones in the PVC. Over three dozen tombstones in the PVC were evaluated as having an extremely high probability of coming from the tombstone quarry as identical-looking stones, including rubble, drill marked, squared and flat finished tombstones, which can be found at the quarry and the PVC.
Quarry Site Stones With Tombstone Characteristics Hugo Granite Tombstone Quarry Site (Quarry Site): 1880s - 1929 Besides numerous base stones, there were several tombstones exhibiting multiple tombstone characteristics (i.e., 1. squared side, 2. flat trim finish, and 3. polished finish) supporting the hypothesis that the Quarry Site provided tombstones for the PVC during the quarry’s operational years.
Quarry Site Comparison Stone & Evertte-Elizabeth Neely Tombstone The Evertte - Elizabeth Neeley tombstone (1898 & 1904) has a granite base stone and a granite vertical tombstone. It is the PVC’s best single example of one vertical tombstone exhibiting four tombstones characteristics: 1. squared stone, 2. flat trim finish and flat finish, 3. polished finish, and 4. inclusion. The vertical tombstone is especially good at demonstrating the contrasts of separate workings and their very different appearances. In summary, the visual comparison analysis provided solid evidence that the Quarry Site provided stones for the PVC. Want more information? Contact an officer of the Hugo Neighborhood. ______________________________________________________________
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© 2011 Hugo Neighborhood Association & Historical Society |
