Cemeteries
During earliest years of a settlement burials often took place on or near the land where a family lived. As the population of the community grew a common burial grounds developed. However, it wasn't unsual for these sites to be recaptured to accomodate the expansion of community, and graves were moved to another cemetery.
Two oldest large cemetery sites were Oak Ridge and Pine Ridge. Oak Ridge, located on Henry street was opened as a cemetery around 1851-52. Pine Ridge, located on the s.e. corner of Tuscolua & Ridge (end of Columbus) opened around 1860. However, proceeding both was Potters Field, a sandy ridge at 11th and Washington ave. It had the county's first recorded burial, a Mr. Bennet, in 1840. Potters Fields eventually closed after the opening of Pine Ridge.
The old Oak Ridge cemetery is operated by Bay City and is maintained well. However, Pine Ridge was a private owned cemetary which was ultimately abandonned and consequently, its maintenance was neglected.
A group of local citizens known as the "Friends of Pine Ridge Cemetery" are doing their best to revive this historical resting place of many Civil War veterans and community pioneers. Pine Ridge is an important sancuary of this community's history and the pioneers buried should be rightfully respected for what they passed onto to the generations that followed them. They shouldn't be abandonned and you can help by donating to this worth cause.
