The Native American Burial Site Found In Illinois Is A Historical Wonder
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published July 21, 2019
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Graveyard lovers will be pleased to find that there is a Native American burial site hidden beneath a cemetery in Waterloo, Illinois that few people know exists. It is rumored to hold about 2,000 of the deceased, and that’s just from before 1800.
Surrounded by nature, this is an excellent place to walk around during the day. Check it out:
Best recognized by its giant stone mausoleum, Eagle Cliff-Miles Cemetery, better known plainly as Miles Cemetery, in southern Illinois is one of the oldest graveyards in the state. Of course, many have tales of its haunts, and that is likely due to how long ago many of these burials took place.
The stone mausoleum is built into the cliffside and has become a landmark for this cemetery, which has been in use for centuries. It began as a Native American burial site to honor the lives of the American Bottoms and is believed to hold around 2,000 of their dead.
Though the main cemetery sits atop the bluff, the Indian graveyard is believed to be located on the cliff below the mausoleum. There are no markers, just bumps and small hills in the ground.
People like to explore this ancient cemetery any time of the year, though of course, fall can bring out the eeriness of the graveyard. Regardless of when you visit, the trees and bluff-top make for all the best views.
There are about 450 modern graves, in addition to the Indian burial site. Many are more than 200 years old and include veterans from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the War of 1812.
Miles Cemetery is located on a private drive and though it is open daily, it is only open during daylight hours, and the local residents would appreciate it if you kept it that way. As this ancient monument and land has seen vandalism, it is monitored by police.
If you enjoy this place and believe in keeping it alive and well, you can donate funds to help with the effort. Click the link below to find out how.
It is worth a drive from any corner of the state to check out this place if you love cemeteries and local history. The views and vibes make this a spot you'll never forget.
If you’ve ever visited this Native American burial site, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
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