Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper recently discovered an overgrown cemetery within his jurisdiction. Though maps showed it in Liberty Township, the Kine 3 Cemetery falls under Harper’s responsibility. On August 7, 2026, he examined the site, surrounded by dense vegetation, where only a gravestone marking the resting place of ‘Pierre, Faithful Poodle, Loyal Friend’ is visible.
The cemetery lacks documentation in township records. Harper, unsure of the cemetery’s boundaries, seeks to clear the area. Two headstones for dogs buried in 1972 are evident, but the number of human burials is unknown. Harper admitted, “Truth be told, we don’t know how many people are buried here, how many headstones are here.”
James Coleman owns Edge of Liberty Farm bordering the cemetery. His property lies along the township’s boundary, echoing the farm’s name. “Until I brought you out here, this gate hasn’t been opened in eight years,” Coleman noted. He first alerted Harper to the cemetery’s location, correcting the assumption it resided in Liberty Township.
Coleman and his wife, Nancy Calafati, have known about the cemetery since purchasing their land a decade ago. Previously swampy, Coleman added a pond to drain the area and created a path to the site. Calafati described the cemetery as “24 feet by 24 feet,” heavily wooded and obscured by growth.
“It used to be a swampy, snake-infested area back here,” Coleman said.
Harper plans to hire a crew to clear space for volunteers. The Daughters of the American Revolution chapter offered assistance after access is improved. “There are people whose hobby is to find these old cemeteries,” Harper mentioned, suggesting they might aid the cause.
Before clearing efforts begin, Harper aims to procure a property survey and insurance to protect participants and the township. Caution is needed to avoid damaging concealed headstones. Harper is aware of the need for careful work, stating, “We don’t want to damage any of the headstones, any of the burial grounds.” He even considers using a firm that specializes in locating buried headstones, which he saw at conventions.
Access challenges exist due to a lack of frontage on Calumet Avenue. While eminent domain is an option, Harper prefers a cooperative approach, stating, “We’re just going to ask them nicely.” Coleman agreed to allow temporary access through his land, expecting “armchair historians” to visit once restoration progresses.
Harper’s goal is to ready the cemetery for volunteers by next spring. He encourages interested individuals to contact his office to assist in restoring dignity to the neglected site. For more information or to volunteer, reach out to the Center Township Trustee’s Office at (219) 462-0810.
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