The Hamer Cemetery
— Spring Mill State Park —
The Hamer Cemetery represents the customs and beliefs of 1800s frontier Hoosiers.
The Hamer Cemetery began out of immediate need when a traveler died in the night near this location. Mill owner Hugh Hamer instructed his carpenters to build a coffin and bury the man in the woods. He later deeded the area including the grave to serve as a cemetery.
1800s Cemetery Customs
Location of Cemeteries
Cemeteries were located on the highest
ground. This protected the graves from
flooding and placed them closer to God.
Orientation of the Graves
In some cemeteries, graves face East in
the belief that when the sun rises on the
Judgement Day, the souls will rise facing
God. Most of the headstones in Hamer
Cemetery face West.
Headstones
Many early graves were unmarked.
There are 30-40 unmarked graves in
Hamer Cemetery.
Cemetery Symbols
Look for the following:
Star, Heavenly guidance
Compass, carpenter's square and letter 'G', Member of the Masons
Hand, Pointing Upward to Heaven,
Lamb, Innocence (frequently on a child's grave)
Weeping Willow Salix babylonica
The weeping willow symbolizes grief and mourning. Its
scientific name babylonica originates from Psalm 137:
By the rivers of Babylon,
There wesat down and wept,
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When we remembered Zion,
Upon the willows in the midst of it
We hung our harps.
Hugh Hamer Grave
Hugh Hamer's ownership of the mill represented its heyday. He arrived at Spring Mill in 1825 to serve as mill manager and miller. In the 1830s he and his brother Thomas took over ownership of the mill.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.
Location. 38° 43.967′ N, 86° 25.25′ W. Marker is in Spring Mill Village, Indiana, in Lawrence County. Marker can be reached from Indiana Route 60, 0.3 miles west of County Road 950E, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mitchell IN 47446, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Civilian Conservation Corp (approx. ¼ mile away); Indiana State Parks (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Indiana State Parks (approx. ¼ mile away); A Tale of Two Scotsmen (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wilson Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Amzi Munson Residence (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Granny White House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Montgomery Tavern (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spring Mill Village.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 21, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
