Friends of Crystal Springs group reports new members, adds maps and schedules ravine tour Oct. 28

Volunteers with the Friends of Crystal Springs and Morton Hill Cemeteries told the Benton Harbor Cemetery Board that community interest is growing and that organizers are updating maps and planning a public ravine tour.

A Friends of Crystal Springs representative said the group gained nine new members on its Facebook page after a post seeking information about an original wrought-iron fence around Moore Hill Cemetery that some accounts say was removed for scrap metal during World War II. The group is seeking additional photographs and historical information that could help recreate a similar fence if donors support the work.

The volunteers said they modified the Crystal Springs map to add the cemetery’s sunset section and plan to create a larger, separate map for Memorial Park over the winter. The group has posted new maps and albums on its Facebook page, including photographs provided by a family member identified as Ben Franklin, described in the record as the great-great-grandson of Herman Floyd, a former superintendent.

The Friends group said volunteers have been clearing and trimming the ravine trail and will host a ravine tour on Oct. 28 at 3 p.m., co-posted with the Ox Creek Restoration organization. The group encouraged residents to attend and said it will continue work along Morningside Drive to expand and clean up the lower ravine trail.

Board members did not take action on the historical-fence idea during the meeting; the Friends group asked residents with information or photographs to share them via the group’s Facebook page.