Lake Lemon's Cemetery Island
11/13/2023
By: Ella Johnson and Ona Terrell
If you have heard of Cemetery Island, you might know that it was once an island covered with graves. It is located in Monroe County in the center of Lake Lemon. Lake Lemon was originally farmland that stretched far and wide and had a hill used to bury the bodies of loved ones. The Lemon Lake area had a town with a post office, a bridge, a church, and obviously a cemetery. Keep reading to find out how it became a lake, and what is left of the cemetery!
The History
Lake Lemon is a man-made reservoir but, it was just a valleyed farmland before it was made. In the 1950s, the mayor of the time, Tom Lemon, started a campaign to construct a new lake that would be used as a water reservoir. Before the valley could be filled, the city had to relocate to a small community. The farmland that would be used for the lake was bought by officials from the family who had passed it down for generations. The town’s church was put onto timber slats and was wheeled down Tunnel Road to a new location.
Cemetery Island in Lake Lemon
The city funded the removal of more than 100 graves. Both the headstones and bones were relocated to cemeteries in the county. Even though the graves were removed, the hill they were on stayed the same elevation, even though it would become an island in the lake. Because the History Center has no recorded explanation, it is quite an interesting thing to speculate.
Lake Lemon Now
Lake Lemon’s role as a main drinking water source was short, ending in the late 1960s. It now serves as a backup water supply like other man-made lakes in the county. Lake Lemon offers fun activities for both visitors and residents including boating, fishing, and swimming.
While all of the headstones on Cemetery Island have been removed, some families have stayed in the history of Lake Lemon in other ways. For example, the Riddle family is immortalized by Riddle Point Park. A park where people can visit and see the former cemetery.
Contributors bio:
Ella is a 13-year-old 8th grader who likes to be with her friends, read, swim, and play Volleyball. She loves her tiny dogs Chloe and Gracie! Her favorite books right now are Love and Gelato, The Lucky Ones, and Love and Olives!
Ona is a 14-year-old 8th grader who likes to spend time with her friends and family. She enjoys reading, journaling, Robotics, and dance. Her favorite books are Harry Potter, Divergent, Throne Of Glass, and The Inheritance Games.