This cemetery dates from the very early years of the sanatorium, and as Kathryn Yelinek explains “for many years its very location was forgotten since the plaques and boundaries had disappeared, leaving only local hearsay to testify that a graveyard existed on the grounds.”[1] In 1978 the cemetery was rediscovered and of the 308 graves there only 17 remain unidentified. The dates of death range from 1909-1931 and most were buried on grounds because they had lost touch with their families or their bodies were unclaimed possibly due to fear of infection.[2]
This gravesite filled with forgotten patients reminds us of the serious work that took place here and the fact that although many were able to find hope and healing here this has also been a place of death and sorrow.
In learning about ome of the history od this century old institution it is striking the progress that has been made in the care of patients with tuberculosis and other afflictions. We as a society have built an institution that continues to provide hope and a place to heal for those in need.