Potter's Field - Riverside Cemetery,
Kalamazoo MI
Potter's Field
Potter’s Field Memorial Project In the heart of Kalamazoo, lies a testament to the true spirit of America: Riverside Cemetery Potter’s Field. Located at 1015 Gull Road, this hallowed ground is home to two thousand two hundred and seventy-six souls.
Potter's Field - History
Riverside Cemetery
Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, established in 1862, is one of the city’s oldest and most historically significant cemeteries. Over the years, Riverside expanded several times to accommodate the growing needs of the community. This expansion included additions in 1882, 1934, 1939, 1950, 1953, 1960, 1962, and 1984. A Catholic Cemetery was added in 1862, and a small Jewish cemetery adjoins the northwest corner.
From 1860 to 1949, individuals from all walks of life found their final rest here. A beautiful, silent testament to the ideal that in death, as in life, all men and women are indeed created equal. Here lie the formerly enslaved and the free, side by side. Proud soldiers from the United States Colored Troops, who fought bravely for freedom and justice. Immigrants who journeyed from distant shores, seeking a new life in a new land. Babies, children, young adults, and the elderly, each life a unique story, each story an intricate thread in the rich tapestry of our shared history.
Unlike many places of its time, Potter’s Field stands as a beacon of unity. No segregation, no division based on race or origin. A reflection of what America aspires to be: A land where everyone is equal in the truest sense. So much history rests here, in Riverside Cemetery Potter’s Field. Behind each lot marker, there’s a story waiting to be told, a legacy to be remembered. Families, descendants, and historians alike are called upon to unearth these tales, to ensure that the spirit of unity and equality, epitomized by this sacred land, lives on for generations to come.
Stakes For GPS Mapping
Names in the 1877 Michigan Adjutant General’s Report about the new policy of sending insane veterans to the Asylum in Kalamazoo. The following veterans were not moved and still rest in Potter’s Field.
Graham, John W. Capt.
Co. C, 11th MI Infantry
PF, 255
1836 - 1878
Herrick, Sydney L., Major
Brigade Surgeon
PF, 120
1830 - 1875
Marshall, Balthazar
7th MI Infantry(?)
PF, 682
1838 - 1887 (Can't document service)
Peck, Jackson
Co. E, 16th MI Infantry
PF, 283
1837 – 1880
Stocking, Ira
Co. E, 9th MI Infantry
PF, 227
1841 – 1877
White, Stephen
Co. A, 102nd USCT
PF, 434
1827 – 1882
Projected Completion - Spring 2024
The Memorial Reads:
Potter’s Field – Kalamazoo Michigan,
c. 1862 – c. 1949
Burial ground for the unknown, unclaimed or indigent people: regardless of race or religion
The memorial for this project will not be installed till spring 2024. Installing this memorial markers in Michigan during the winter months can be challenging for several reasons:
- Frozen ground:
- Snow accumulation
- Safety concerns
- Delayed scheduling
- Potential damage of the Memorial
For these reasons, many memorial installers prefer to schedule installations during the milder seasons, such as spring, summer, or early fall when the ground is not frozen, and the weather conditions are more favorable.
Black Pearls of Genealogy would like to
thank the following:
On behalf of the Black Pearls of Genealogy, it is with great pleasure and profound gratitude that we extend our heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your invaluable contributions to the creation and realization of our Potter’s Field Memorial Project Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
As stakeholders and active participants in this community project, your collaborative efforts have not only enriched this initiative but also strengthened the bonds within our community. The memorial, once completed, will stand as a symbol of our shared history, a beacon of our collective memory, and a tribute to those who have come before us.
Your support and contributions have been essential in making this project a reality. The Black Pearls of Genealogy extends its deepest gratitude for your commitment, expertise, and enthusiasm. Together, we are making a significant impact on preserving our genealogical heritage for future generations.
Sponsors
