Cemetery Fencing

Did you know that the fences had multiple reasons to be installed in a cemetery plot depending on the age of them. Some were to keep wildlife off the plot, some were to mark the edges and act as a bedstead. Vandals and grave robbers were kept at bay a little better with fencing around the graves.

Victorians would use wrought iron cages and fences to keep those buried in and others out.  Other Victorians used them as a symbol for an outdoor room to visit, as a garden.  Some used them as symbolism or a barrier between the living and the dead. The tale says that when the living leave the cemetery, the fence keeps the buried in the boundaries. 

Then of course any “Supernatural” fan will tell you that the iron keeps the ghosts from crossing. The Victorians and Witch Lore are one stem of where these notions came from, they still get referred to today. What about when the entire cemetery is fenced this way! Boundaries, or spells…

I have even seen padlocks on the gates of small fence areas. And really unique corners, knobs and railing. The wildlife pay some attention to the fencing and even use it as back rest for lounging. Regardless of why the fence was installed, aren’t they neat to look at? Especially ones over a hundred years old. 

During World War I, many of the fences that were iron were removed and melted down in some regions. Iron was needed and there were some creative ways of finding more it seems. 

City Cemeteries also removed them for ease of maintenance. Today, some cemeteries allow this in the mountains, but not usually in larger city ones. Old cemeteries are amazing with all the fences. 

Some find it strange that I find it magical when the wrought iron catches sunbeams in the mountains. I admit it, and don’t deny it at all, one of my favorite things to see. I love these fences…

p.s. Sunnyside Cemetery in Victor, Colorado has the most fences that I have seen yet in one small area.