For example, one of the earliest graves there belongs to a man named Henry Jones who died in the year of 1840 but happened to live in a house that still stands here today known as the Nancy Jones house. It was built in 1803, and has lasted for 217 years. Although he’s not the only one that was part of Cary’s history. There're also 62 total graves that tell the tale of the lives of those who fought as soldiers in the military. Also buried in this cemetery are the people who were part of several different societies, clubs ,and fraternal organizations.Some of these groups were the Masons, The American Legion, Woodmen of the World, Boy Scouts of America, Daughter/Sons of the American Revolution, Rotary International and Shriners. Another group of people buried there are 15 past mayors of the town. The earliest one of them being J.P.H Adams,who was Cary’s second mayor.

Another grave there tells the tale of Dr. Templeton who was one of Cary's first doctors. He also served the country in the Army, and to this day you can see his uniform in the Cary history museum. Another person who was part of the town's history was Marcus Baxter who was principal of Cary High School for 34 years and even became superintendent once upon a time. Another person buried there though is Herbert C. Young and if you recognise the name it is simply because today there is a community center named after him. His role in Cary was significant as he was on the Cary Town council and owned and operated Cary Swim Club for 30 years. Also in the cemetery you will find Deldon Dunham, Senior who taught agriculture at Cary High for 40 years and was often known as Dad. Today you can still see his name in fact at Dad Dunham Park on Walnut Street, which was named after him. Another person who has been buried there for 23 years in fact is Fred Gaines Bond, who was the Mayor of Cary from 1971-1983, and is known for paving every street in Cary. Today though, he has a park named after him, known as Fred G Bond Metro Park. Another man buried at Hillcrest ,who died in 1971 was known as Luther Maynard who farmed tobacco corn and wheat. We know him today because Maynard Road is the road that circles all of downtown Cary, which was named after him. Someone else that is buried in this cemetery is Rachel Eaton Dunham who is known for starting Cary’s Gourd Village Garden Club and for her interest in preserving Cary’s history which led to Cary’s Historical society and Friends of the Page-Walker.

There is also J.R Walker and Helen Yates Walker who were one of Cary’s first citizens and were known for building the Page Walker Hotel which still stands today. Finally, there is Captain P. Guess who was one of Cary's first ever railroad men and has to this day a house named after him known as the Guess-Ogle Home next to the downtown Post office .

Well thank you for reading and I hope that you learned a thing or two about Cary’s history and the people that lived in it too.

Sources:

https://friendsofpagewalker.wildapricot.org/Cary-Me-Back/9293735?fbclid=IwAR3Ltya8hexsjChSLq4DIJPuvE6sBR0gEFKcxljiK6gqj_gfXJHXLdGVHP0

https://www.townofcary.org/home/showdocument?id=22071

Photos by the author.