Ellison Family Cemetery near Missouri state line on Baxter CR 467

I was recently told of a small family cemetery located in the general Clarkridge area on Baxter CR 467 near the Missouri state line.  There are at least four members of the Ellison family buried in this cemetery, so it would appropriately be called the Ellison Family Cemetery.  Each burial site is marked with an inscribed gravestone.  The cemetery appears to date from the early 1920s, or possibly before.  It is surrounded by fencing.

To locate the cemetery take State Highway 201 North from Mountain Home to Baxter CR 37, which will be on the right just before reaching the Missouri state line.  Take Baxter CR 37 to the East about 3 miles until you come to Baxter CR 467.  Turn left on CR 467 and go for about a mile.  The cemetery is in a field about 200 yards off the roadway on the right, but is not usually visible from the roadway. 

This information was supplied by Karen Lewis.

The Ellison Family Cemetery as seen from the

fence line on Baxter CR 467.  The fence surrounding

the cemetery can be seen at the crest of this hill in

this wooded area when there is no foliage.



Photo courtesy of Karen Lewis

Photo courtesy of Karen Lewis

Dover Family Cemetery is off Baxter CR 483

     The Dover Family Cemetery is near Baxter CR 483 off from State Highway 201 North of Mountain Home.  Take CR 483 left from Hwy 201 N for less than a mile.  A short distance before you come to the creek crossing at the bottom of the hill there will be a private driveway on the right side of CR 483 that leads up the hill to a house.  This private driveway and surrounding property belongs to a Mr. Sanchez.  If you take his driveway, in a short distance you will see on your left the concrete foundation where the house for the Dover family homestead once stood.  Just across the ditch line behind this foundation, in the middle of the field, you will see a small mounding of stones, with one that is standing upright.  This is the location of the Dover Family Cemetery. 

     I was escorted to this cemetery on January 7, 2012 by Mr. A. W. Dover.  He relayed to me that his grandparents had once lived in the house until it was destroyed by fire.  According to Mr. Dover and his wife, family records indicate that there are at least seven (7) members of the Dover family buried here, perhaps more.  None of the large rocks marking the grave sites seem to have any names, dates, or inscriptions on them that are visible today.  I was told that at one time there was a stone with the name "Francis" inscribed on it.  The cemetery is believed to date from 1880.

     Those known or believed to be buried here are:

1.  Thomas L. Jefferson Dover,

      b. 1832 in TN, d. 1880 in Baxter Co, AR

2.  Lucinda (Kasinger) Dover, wife of Thomas L. J. Dover

     b. Jan, 1838 in MO, d. 1913 in Baxter Co, AR

3.  Francis Ann Elizabeth (Dover) Reed, daughter of Thoms and Lucinda

     b. 1858 in AR

4.  Alice Dover, daughter of Jesse W. and Jancy Ellen Dover

     b.  Jan 25, 1902 in Baxter Co, AR, d. July, 1902

5.  Infant son of Jesse F. and Lena Dover

     b. Jan 13, 1954, d. Jan 13, 1954

6.  Dawn Elizabeth Watson, daughter of David and Lucy (Reed) Watson

     b.  March, 1918 in MO, d. 1918 or 1919

7.  Infant son of David and Lucy (Reed) Watson

     b.  Dec, 1919, d. about June, 1920

The Dover Family Cemetery is in this field

behind the location of the foundation of the house on the

old Dover family homestead.

Several large stones mark grave sites at the

Dover Family Cemetery.

Mr. A. W. Dover standing in the

Dover Family Cemetery.

Heiskill Cemetery serves the Buford Area

The Heiskill Cemetery is located about 2 miles South of Buford on State Highway 126 (also known as Buffalo Rd.). State Highway 126 will intersect with Heiskill Cemetery Lane to the left (East). There is a cemetery sign at the intersection. The cemetery sits about 1/4 mile down at the end of the private drive. The drive is gated, but the gate can be opened to drive past. The cemetery itself is fenced.  The earliest known burial is that of a child dating from 1863. The newer sections seems to be in front, while the older section is mostly toward the back of the cemetery.  The cemetery is infrequently used, but should still be considered active.  It appears to be mowed and cared for.

Sign indicating the turn for Heiskill Cemetery

The lane leading to Heiskill Cemetery,

beyond the gate

The pavilion at the entrance to Heiskill Cemetery

Overview from the NE corner of the cemetery

Some of the older graves along the North fence line

One of the above ground cairns

The gravestone of "A Soldier"

Another oveview photo of the cemetery

Payne-Campbell Cemetery is near Baxter/Izard County line near Moccasin Creek

     An entry in the Arkansas Gravestones website states the following about Payne-Campbell Cemetery:

"This little cemetery is listed in the Izard Co. Cemetery Book, but is actually in Baxter on the Satterfield ranch, north of Moccasin Creek. There are only two stones standing but several fallen and some just stones. There are markings on some of the stones. I read the name 'Zeb' on one stone. We counted about ten markers."

     A publication of the Izard County Historical Society also indicates that Payne-Campbell is in Izard County, but it has been determined with certainty that it is in Baxter County.

     Update:  01/08/2012.  I, along with a group of several other persons, walked to the Payne-Campbell Cemetery today.  Directions to this cemetery were obtained from Mrs. Lloyd Satterfield.  The cemetery is on their ranch and access is with their permission only, although they are very friendly and accommodating in this regard.  To access the cemetery, drive State Highway 5 South from Norfork to Moccasin Creek at the Izard County line.  Turn left on Moccasin Creek Road.  Follow this road about 2 miles, crossing over three (3) very narrow bridges.  After crossing the third bridge, the road bears sharply to the right.  Begin looking for a rusted metal gate with plywood on it on the left hand side of the roadway along the fence line.  If you make it to the fourth bridge, you have gone too far. 

     Once you find this gate, find a place to pull as far off the roadway as you can and park.  You will have to walk from here.  Cross over the gate into the open field.  A creek bed will be to your left.  Follow the creek bed, bearing to the left.  At the end of the open field you will come to another small creek branch.  Cross over it, then bear to the right into another narrow open field.  Continue walking and you will cross the same creek again and start walking up a hill, bearing to the right.  This will be an old cedar glade road/trail that is clearly discernible.  Continue up the trail about 150 yards.  At the top of the hill, the land will begin to flatten or level out.  Look on your right and you should be able to see a couple of upright headstones.  This is the Payne-Campbell Cemetery. 

     There are two gravestones with discernable names and dates, or partial dates.  A third field stone has three initials carved into it that are barely visible.  There are several other upright field stones marking grave sites that have no visible markings at all.  There are many sunken places in the cemetery that are clearly grave sites but have no markers.  Several of them are in a row and are obvious. 

     The cemetery is abandoned and uncared for, but is not too terribly grown up.  The one manufactured gravestone with identifiable dates indicates a date of death of 1870.  The cemetery certainly pre-dates 1870 and may well pre-date the civil war. 

Gate along Moccasin Creek Road that you cross

to walk to the cemetery.

Upright field stones with no markings visible.

Members of our group exploring the

Payne-Campbell Cemetery.

This is the only gravestone that is fully readable

with name, dates, and inscription.

A partially readable gravestone from the

Campbell Family.

Cockrum Cemetery is off Baxter CR 111 in the Lone Rock area

The Cockrum Cemetery, also referred to by some as the (Old) Lone Rock Cemetery, is located on private property owned by Roger Alman off Baxter CR 111 in the Lone Rock community. Take Push Mountain Road South from the White River/Norfork area about 6 miles to the intersection of CR 111, which will be on the left (East) side of the roadway. Continue on CR 111 about 3/4 mile to the Alman driveway on the left. The Alman home sits back some distance off the roadway at a slight elevation. The Cockrum Cemetery is located behind a barn on the Alman farm. This is an inactive cemetery and access is only available by permission of the property owner. There are 12 marked graves and probably several unmarked as well. The last recorded burial was in the 1920's.

NOTE: In The Baxter Bulletin cemetery article, circa 2002, it is stated that the "Old Lone Rock Cemetery" was overgrown and marked with field stones. Although Cockrum Cemetery is referred to by some as the "Old Lone Rock Cemetery", the Cockrum Cemetery actually has several inscribed headstone markers. Therefore, there may potentially be another "Old Lone Rock Cemetery" in the same general area with gravesites marked only with field stones, but that is unconfirmed.

Cantrell-Brewer Cemetery is in the Advance area

The following information comes from an entry on the Arkansas Gravestones website:

"Cantrell-Brewer Cemetery is located west of Advance county road 72 to the junction of 115 about one mile due south of the junction."

A hand-crafted metal sign marks the location of

the Cantrell-Brewer Cemetery in the Ozark National Forest.

On January 14, 2012, I was escorted to the Cantrell-Brewer Cemetery by Mr. Heath Jones.  To reach it, take State Highway 341 (Push Mountain Road) South from Norfork to the Lone Rock community.  When you come to the intersection of State Highway 341 and Baxter CR 72, turn right on CR 72.  After less than a mile CR 72 will make a 90 degree turn to the left, while another dirt county road continues straight.  Stay on CR 72 for about 3 miles.  Continue past "Payne Ln", a private roadway on the left, for about another 1/2 mile to the bottom of the hill.  At the bottom of the hill on the left will be a U. S. Forest Service sign designating the boundary of the national forest, and there will be a trail leading into the woods.  Park at the trail head and walk on the trail.  The trail will immediately fork to the left and to the right.  Take the left fork and head up the hill.  It is close to a 1/2 mile hike up the trail, which is uphill all the way.  The trail is marked in several places by Forest Service signs.  Once you reach the top of the hill, the Cantrell-Brewer Cemetery will be visible on your left.

United States Forest Service sign and markings.



A metal sign has been erected for the cemetery along the trail.  Only one double gravestone has readable names and dates on it.  There is also a very old funeral home metal marker at one grave site that seemed to have the date 1927 on it.  All of the remaining grave sites are marked only with upright field stones.  This is a small cemetery, with evidence of around 10 graves.  It was enclosed by a wire fence at one time, but the fence has now collapsed on all sides.  There are some fallen limbs and branches, but the cemetery is still in fairly good condition.

All of the grave sites are immediately behind

the sign along the trail.

This is the only manufactured gravestone in the

Cantrell-Brewer Cemetery.

Another view of the small Cantrell-Brewer Cemetery.

A funeral home marker that has the date 1927 on it,

no name readable.

The large Galatia Cemetery is South of Norfork on State Hwy 5

Galatia Cemetery entrance, sign, and arch

The Galatia Cemetery is a very old, large, and still active cemetery. It is located on State Highway 5 South, about 4 miles South of the City of Norfork, adjacent to the highway. According to the Baxter County Cemetery Book, the Galatia Cemetery is actually composed of four separate cemeteries (Arnold Family, Adams Family, Parnell Family, and the Public Area). The oldest marked graves are the 1854 graves of twins John R. and Sarah R. Lackey. There are also slaves from the Killian family buried in this cemetery. The historic Galatia Church building is also on the grounds, located at the SW corner. The cemetery is very well cared for and maintained.  A detailed history of this cemetery can be found online at the Arkansas Gravestones Project web site:  http://arkansasgravestones.org/view.php?id=91487

The Historic Galatia Church, circa 1886,

stands at the South boundary of the cemetery

The Historic Galatia Church

A view of one section of the Galatia Cemetery,

showing some of the many gravesites and gravestones

A United States Flag proudly flies at a gravesite

An example of the elaborate rock work at one

of the gravesites

Another area of Galatia Cemetery

A pavilion erected in memory of Chad Parnell

Another view of decorated gravesites at

the Galatia Cemetery

Still searching for exact location of "Culvahouse Cemetery"

Mary Ann Messick writes in her "History of Baxter County" book, circa 1973, that there is a cemetery called the "Culvahouse Cemetery...located up Carson Creek from the bridge on the County road, on the Glenn Wright farm. It lies on a hilltop, just across the creek from the old houseplace." She continues by saying that there are twenty graves there with no tombstones or names, just big rocks at the head and little rocks at the foot of the graves. She states that the cemetery was started during the civil war and that she visited this old graveyard in the summer of 1968.

The Baxter Bulletin cemetery map has a placemark shown for Culvahouse Cemetery in this general area, but no additional details. Several walking tours throughout this general overall area failed to locate evidence of the Culvahouse Cemetery here, using the somewhat vague description given in the book as a reference. Of the numerous area residents asked about Culvahouse Cemetery, only one older couple remembered there being a cemetery in this approximate area when they were children. They remembered it being called the Coverhouse Cemetery.

This land is now fenced pasture for grazing cattle. There is evidence of an old homestead here, and an old barn with a tin roof remains in this general location. There is also a tall mound of dirt that has been piled up with a wire fence enclosing it. The significance of this, if any, is not factually known. It may be enclosing the area of ground where the cemetery had been, or it may have been delineated for some other unknown reason.

If anyone has knowledge or additional information about Culvahouse Cemetery, I would appreciate an email.

This mounded and fenced area is believed to be in

the general area of where the Culvahouse Cemetery

was said to be or have been located.  I do not know if this

is actual location or not.

The mounded, fenced area clearly has some significance,

but I have no factual proof that this is where

Culvahouse Cemetery was located.

Evidence suggesting an old homesite in this area.

     Note:  04/01/2012.  New information from Mr. Eugene Reed indicates this is not the location of the Culvahouse Cemetery, but that it is located some distance North of here on the opposite side of the creek.  A new expedition will be undertaken to find it.

Purported location of "Cuff Cemetery" shows little visual evidence of a cemetery

There is a cemetery identified as "Cuff Cemetery" on the topographical map (with coordinates) and other maps that is supposed to be located in a very rural and remote area of Baxter County off CR 131 near the Ozark National Forest. The cemetery is called "Unknown Cemetery in SE Baxter County, #69" on the Baxter Bulletin Cemetery Map, circa 1993. The cemetery is not mentioned at all in the Baxter County Cemetery Book entitled "Of Grave Importance". Few other details or information seems to be accessible in any listed or published source, either in print or online.

This photo courtesy of Annamae Freeman

 I have made two visual walking tours of this location trying to find some evidence of a cemetery here.  This property and surrounding property is currently owned by the Branscum family.  The area is a sloping rocky field or pasture used for cattle. Jim and Linda Branscum relayed to Annamae Freeman, who passed the information along to me, that there are believed to be about thirty (30) graves in this cemetery.  An early land patent shows this property to be that of Jacob Dillard, who was known by some of the Branscums as "Uncle Cuff", and that members of the black community were buried there, thus the name "Cuff Cemetery".  There are no manufactured gravestones nor even upright field stones making grave plots that I could see in this location.

If anyone has additional information concerning this cemetery, I would love to get an email from you.

Note: Another researcher from the Norfork area stated he also searched for the Cuff Cemetery about 20-25 years ago while surveying other cemeteries in the area but was unable to locate it. He believes it was a cemetery used for african-american burials and that no trace of it now remains.

The topographical map, Baxter Bulletin map, and

coordinates place the Cuff Cemetery in this location,

but I have found no evidence of it here.

Baxter Memorial Gardens is at the edge of Mountain Home on Highway 5 North

The large Baxter Memorial Gardens Cemetery is located on the outskirts of the Mountain Home City Limits at the intersection of State Highway 5 North and Baxter CR 27 (Walker Road). This is a perpetual care and maintenance cemetery managed by the on site Roller Funeral Home.  The grounds are meticulously maintained, and there are statuary, art work, and benches found throughout.  It was established in 1958 on 43 acres of property.

Roller Funeral Home and Office for

Baxter Memorial Gardens

The mausoleum area

A veterans memorial on the cemetery grounds

A plaque signifying that the 8mm mortor was

used in both World War I and World War II

Upright headstones are apparently

permitted in a special area on the back

side of the cemetery

A view of gravesites at Baxter Memorial Gardens