The Tree-Stump Tombstones of Oak Hill Cemetery (Crawfordsville, IN)

In her comprehensive study of tree-stump tombstones (also known as treestones), Susanne Ridlen stated there were more than 2,400 tree-stump tombstones in the state of Indiana. This could be influenced by the Sears & Roebuck catalog, which was popular in the Midwest and a seller of the unique gravestone. Ridlen defines a tree-stump tombstone as a “rustic funerary memorial on which emphasis is placed in the representation of a tree or portion thereof in this natural exterior state” (xvii). These tombstones were most often carved from limestone or marble, but some were made from granite or sandstone. These stones were found in Indiana during the 1850s, reaching their popularity in the 1890s. They began declining around the 1920/30s.

A recent visit to Oak Hill Cemetery (est. 1875) in Crawfordsville, Indiana revealed a treasure trove of treestones. While not all of them are in the gallery below, you can see the cemetery has a multitude and variety of these stones. If you ever plan a visit, make sure to add the Rotary Jail Museum to your itinerary.

Which tree-stump tombstone below is your favorite? (Click any image below to view a larger version).