I AM A TAPHOPHILE

 I am a Taphophile! What the heck is that, you ask? Well, for many years I have been fascinated by cemeteries and graveyards. Especially those that are historic and are the final resting place of notable people.

A few Months back I was visiting a cemetery and ran into a fellow who approached me and introduced himself and said, “It’s always good to meet another taphophile.” I had no idea what he was talking about but didn’t let on.

So, when I got back home, I did a little research and found out what exactly a taphophile is. And here is the definition in a nutshell.

Taphophile: A person who loves, studies, or frequently visits cemeteries and graveyards. Taphophiles often explore cemeteries to appreciate their history, art, architecture, and tranquil atmosphere. They are also frequently referred to as tombstone tourists. They often engage in photographing monuments, studying genealogy, reading epitaphs, or researching the lives of those buried.

Yes, I am a Taphophile and have been most of my adult life. I just enjoy the history and art that are found in some of the more historic cemeteries.

On thing that I am often as is what is the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard. Well, a Graveyard is burial ground that is located on church property and administered by the church.

A cemetery is usually not affiliated with a church or particular religion or place of worship and are often designed as a park like setting.

And one more thing. There is a difference between a Cemetery and a Memorial Park. A cemetery has upright headstones and monuments, while a memorial park has all flat markers.

So, now you know more about topophilia that you ever wanted to know.  Over the years I have visited small cemeteries, large cemeteries, church graveyards and National Cemeteries and have very rarely had a problem. But sometimes there are issues.

Back in 2018, I was at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. I was there to visit the grave of depression era outlaw Bonnie Parker, or Bonnie and Clyde fame. Bonnie’s grave is located behind some landscaping shrubs and as soon as I made my way around the hedges, I saw what appeared to be two homeless men laying on the ground right next to her grave.

As I cautiously approached the grave, one of the men stood up and told me that it would cost me $5.00. I tried to ignore him, but he was insistent and I finally told Him would go to the Cemetery Office. If I needed to pay to visit the grave I would do so there. I turned and walked briskly back to my car. On the way out I saw a cemetery worker who called security. The cemetery worker said they are there all the time and security will run them off and they are back the next day.

The security guard arrived a few minutes later and in fact did escort them off the property.

Another issuer I had was at a rather large catholic cemetery near Miami, Florida. There were several notable people resting here that I wanted to visit. One of which was, Entertainer and Actor Jackie Gleason. Just as I arrived at his grave and parked, I was approached by a security guard in a golf cart who informed me that photos and video were prohibited. He also informed me that only relatives and authorized guests were permitted to visit the cemetery. With that he asked me to leave and escorted me to the exit.

Some cemeteries that I have tried to visit over the years are Not in the best part of town. The first time I encountered this was back in 2006 when I visited the Grave of Bonnie Parker’s partner in crime, Clyde Barrow.

Clyde Barrow, His brother Marvin “Buck” Barrow and their parents are buried in Western Heights Cemetery in Southwest Dallas.  This area of Dallas is in a crappy part of town. Many of the businesses have been abandoned and those that were open had bars over their windows and doors.

Online reviews from those who had previously visited the Barrow Graves said to “always be alert. This was a high crime area even when visiting in the daytime. But, despite these warnings I decided to visit anyway. 

While I didn’t have any problems, it was definitely in a less than desirable part of town.

The most frightening experience I had was when I recently tried to visit Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. Now, I had been here back in 2001and I knew that this cemetery was not in the best part of the city. But I didn’t encounter any real problems during that visit. That would not be the case when I tried to visit earlier this year.

I was not prepared for what I would see and encounter as I drove deeper into the city. If you want to see urban blight, then just drive through downtown Baltimore.  Most of the Building were vacant and many had been gutted by fire. I later learned that most of the fire damage  was caused by the Civil Unrest that occurred from April 18 – May 4, 2015. There were only a few businesses open and even those had medal bars on the doors and windows with some rather despicable looking people standing out front.

 On a couple of occasions, When I slowed down or stop at traffic signals my car was surround by a number of individuals, who banged on my car and windows demanding money.

It was at this point that I decided to forget about visiting the Cemetery and just get the heck out of town. I didn’t slow down or stop at traffic signals, deciding that a traffic ticket from a police officer would be a better option than getting robbed or carjacked by the gutter trash that was everywhere in this city.

 I have traveled to 44 of the 50 states and I will tell you that Baltimore, Maryland is the worst city that I have ever experienced. There is absolutely nothing good in downtown Baltimore.

Later, when I was safely out of the city, I read some online reviews for visiting the cemetery.

“…Not a safe place. DON’T GO!”

“Baltimore is not a safe place, if you value your safety, stay away from downtown.”

“Be aware of your surrounding at all times. Be alert. Do not visit this cemetery alone.”

“Say away is the best advice I can give. The entire area surrounding the cemetery is considered high-risk due to persistent violent crime, open-air drug markets, and blight.”

So, I must admit that I failed in my second attempt to visit the Grave of John Wilkes Booth and some of the other notable people who are buried in this cemetery.