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Cemetery commission reports restorations, seeks township cooperation and funds
Summary
The Clinton County cemetery commission reported $3,315 in restoration work, progress locating heirs for Old Kirkland Cemetery and plans for a March 2 township meeting with the Indiana DNR to use new township spending authority; commissioners approved the 2024 report.
Andy Robertson, presenting the Clinton County cemetery commission’s annual update, said the commission spent $3,315 this year restoring gravestones and focused on researching ownership to transfer at-risk pioneer cemeteries into public stewardship. Robertson highlighted a restoration near Rossville that transformed a pile of broken stones into a recognizable cemetery.
“Probably the main thing we accomplished this year and we were very judicious … I mean, I think we only spent $3,315,” Robertson said, describing work on marked graves west of Rossville and efforts to transfer Old Kirkland Cemetery, which research showed still legally belonged to Nathan Kirk and whose descendants were deceased.
Robertson said the commission is coordinating with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Historical Bureau and invited township trustees and DNR representatives to a March 2 meeting to discuss how recent changes in state law give townships clearer spending authority for cemetery care. Commissioners noted the commission’s initial seed funding came from an annual $25,000 allotment provided under a renegotiated Republic landfill contract, which helped the commission launch projects.
Commissioners voted to sign the 2024 cemetery commission report so it can be filed with the Indiana Historical Bureau, as required by state law. The board did not adopt new policy during the meeting but directed continued coordination with townships and the DNR and identified March 2 as the date for a joint meeting with township trustees and DNR staff.
The commission’s next steps include completing title research where needed, pursuing formal transfers of ownership to townships or the county where possible, and prioritizing additional restorations as funds allow.
