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Category: Historic Cemeteries

Did you know George Washington changed his birthdate? Here’s why!

[The following is an adapted excerpt from my book, Understanding Cemetery Symbols. I hope you enjoy it! Also, full disclosure: that’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy my book after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you.] He said, “I cannot tell a lie.” So what’s the deal? If you went to school in the USA, you probably remember hearing that our first president, George Washington, was known for his honesty. Why then, did he add 11 days to his official birthdate? The answer has to do with a thing called “double dating.” Double…

Paranormal Texas is Back with More Haunted Places and True Ghost Stories!

Paranormal Texas: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places Near Dallas & Fort Worth, (2nd Edition), by Tui Snider More Haunted Places and True Ghost Stories! Tui Snider’s popular travel guide to haunted places in North Texas is back with a fully updated 2nd Edition featuring more haunted places and true ghost stories! Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition will be released on September 19, 2019. Special Offer: For a limited time, if you pre-order the ebook of Paranormal Texas, Tui will send you the 220 page paperback for free! (details below) That’s right! Tui is rewarding readers who pre-order Paranormal Texas by…

2018 Historic Cemetery Symbols Tour in Granbury, Texas – Info & Tickets!

Cemetery Tour: back by popular demand! How would you like to explore a historic cemetery in Granbury, Texas with author, Tui Snider, as your guide? Tui (that’s me!) will explain the meanings behind the architecture and symbols found in this fascinating burial ground. Last year’s cemetery tour was so much fun and so many people have asked about it, that I decided to do it again! The cemetery tour is fun to do after the speakers and booths close up for the night (8pm, Saturday, Sept 29th, 2018) during the fabulous Granbury Paranormal Expo.  However:While the tour is family-friendly, it’s probably not suitable for children under the age of 12. It’s your call!…

Historic Cemeteries: Cast Iron Graves by J.R. Abrams #GraveHour

Cast iron grave covering – not mere decoration The photo below shows a child’s grave with a cast iron covering. This type of cast iron grave covering was patented in 1873 by Joseph R. Abrams, and there’s a lot more to it than mere decoration!  It was intended to be better than simply mounding dirt at a gravesite.   Invented by J.R. Abrams in 1873 As J.R. Abrams explains in his patent: “By this construction the sinking of the loose earth in the grave has no effect upon the superposed and hardened artificial mound formed by the cement.” Click here to read…

Understanding Cemetery Symbols: What does a lotus flower represent? #cemetery #history #GraveHour

Understanding Cemetery Symbols by Tui Snider [The following is an adapted excerpt from my book, Understanding Cemetery Symbols. I hope you enjoy it! Also, full disclosure: that’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy my book after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you.] Lotus flower: an Ancient Egyptian symbol The lotus flower, also known as the water lily, is an important ancient Egyptian symbol.Since the lotus blooms during the day but closes at night, it symbolized the cycle of life and death. Egyptian columns are often topped with a lotus leaf, as you can…