GFO Volunteers Remove Boxwood Hedge in Historic Columbian Cemetery
In 2024 and 2025, GFO volunteers toiled at the Historic Columbian Cemetery (HCC) to cut down and haul away an overgrown hedge.
When the HCC project began, one goal of the volunteers was to identify and locate the burial locations of those interred in the HCC. When it came to Section RS, Block 92, it was impossible.
Many years ago, in an area filled with primarily baby burials, nearly 100 little boxwoods were planted in rows between the rows of baby burials. Over the years, they turned into an overgrown thicket laced with blackberry vines.
With the cemetery’s permission and encouragement, volunteers began removing the bushes.
Deep within them, markers could be seen.
As work continued, markers were found that may not have been visible for decades.
In October 2025, the cutting was completed. Without more work, the remaining stumps are sure to sprout and grow. GFO volunteers have plans to continue the work to keep the boxwoods at bay and, hopefully, stop them from returning.
Photos by Jackie Olson, Barry Foster, and Darcy Hurst.
