The Forgotten South Carolina Gravesite That No One Ever Visits

South Carolina's history celebrates both life and death. From war heroes who fought battles for our freedom to persons famously public for other reasons, we have a strong conviction for memorializing our dearly departed in the Palmetto State. But there's one little grave that's all too often passed by without notice.

It rests on the edge of a rigid and paved highway just outside of Greenville — and the story behind it may bring tears to your eyes.

When it was first placed here in the spring of 1859, the grave was an above-ground tomb the size of a small coffin.

In it lay the remains of little Leila Howell.

Leila was only three years, six months and 26 days old when she succumbed to typhoid fever as the winter thawed in these parts. At that time there was no highway here.

Her grave was placed alongside one of Leila's favorite trails on which she often played.

The above-ground tomb that protected her was surrounded by an iron fence topped with spikes, as was a common custom of the day. But over the years, the space for Little Leila grew smaller and smaller and the modern world consumed more and more of her final resting place. Eventually, her tiny above-ground tomb was all but gone.

Eventually, a marble headstone was placed inside the iron fence on the spot of the original grave.

And one day, the iron fence was all but demolished by an automobile accident.

Today, Little Leila Howell's grave sits less than 15 feet from Highway 20 (Piedmont Road) in the community of Piedmont outside of Greenville. Little Leila is all alone on the side of the road, seemingly forgotten by the masses of people who pass by each day. Have you ever seen or visited Little Leila? We'd love to know...