City removes old family cemetery to build school
The City of Kingsport, Tennessee has removed an old family cemetery on the construction site of the John Adams School in the Rock Springs Road area that was recently annexed.
I recall quite some time ago, a WJHL TV interview with Kingsport’s City Manager, John Campbell that indicated that they had a problem because they recently discovered a cemetery at the site of the future John Adams School.
It is interesting that this “recent discovery”, that was discussed in the interview had a new road cut around the family graveyard many months before leaving the graveyard about eight feet above the road.
This graveyard was know to local residents and was listed on the U.S. Geological Survey topographic map as the Hargis Cemetery. It was also listed on many web sites giving the longitude and latitude coordinates for the exact location of the cemetery.
I was aware of the cemetery because of my interest and research in genealogy. I do recall that the ancestors in this cemetery were from the 1800’s or earlier.
It is sad to see that the City of Kingsport chose to remove this cemetery when it is quite possible that the folks buried there fought for the freedom that we have now in this country. The school buildings were not being built on the graveyard site, but I guess the city felt it was an eyesore.
I would like to tell the City of Kingsport that before you jump onto your bulldozers in recently annexed areas in the county, you might want to check out the old cemeteries. There are lot’s more in the Rock Springs Rd. area.
Can the city move the cemetery, yes they can. Can you vote for leaders that reflect your views and positions, yes you can.