#GraveHour

Oakwood Cemetery Saints & Sinners Tour

[ For my FREE book about cemetery symbols, click here. The following article is an adapted excerpt from my travel guide to haunted places called, Paranormal Texas. Full disclosure: it’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy stuff after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Win/win, right?]

Oakwood Cemetery gates in Fort Worth, Texas. photo (c) Tui Snider

Oakwood Saints and Sinners Tour

What do you get when you combine live theater regional history and a beautiful texas burial ground? Why the Oakwood Cemetery Saints and Sinners Tour, of course!

Every October the North Fort Worth Historical Society chooses interesting characters from Oakwood Cemetery’s residents to “bring to life” through well-researched performances by costumed historians.

Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

2020 Consolation Prize!

Unfortunately, if you’re watching this in 2020 then I must tell you that there is no cemetery tour this year. (I’m sure you can guess why!) But that’s why I made this blog post and video. Since we can’t go this year, consider this a consolation prize!

I’ve been going to the Oakwood Cemetery Saints and Sinners Tour in Fort Worth, Texas since 2015. I’ve taken so many photos (and even a little bit of video.) I hope you enjoy this little blog post and companion video that I’ve put together. (To see the companion video, click this link or the image below: Oakwood Cemetery Saints and Sinners Tour.)

Cemeteries are Open-air Museums

I often say that historic cemeteries are open-air museums. That’s what I love about the Oakwood Cemetery Saints and Sinners Tour. It really brings history to life in a special way.

The performances are often quite funny, but some will bring tears to your eyes. I learn so much each year. I wish more historic cemeteries had tours like this.

Horse drawn hearse in Oakwood Cemetery (photo by Tui Snider)

Fort Worth is “Where the West begins”

Since Fort Worth is considered to be “Where the West begins,” these tours often give you a glimpse into Wild West history. You’ll learn about cattle barons, oilmen, gunslingers, cowboys, soldiers, suffragettes, shopkeepers, and more!

There’s even a section called Bartenders Row where Wild West saloon workers are buried. Another plot is nicknamed Soiled Doves Row. A soiled dove is a euphemism they used in the 1800s to describe what we would call a prostitute or sex worker today.

I go into more detail about the ladies in Soiled Doves Row, Bartenders Row, and other historic people in Oakwood Cemetery in my new book, 6 Feet Under Texas.

Me playing Faro! (photo by Larry Snider)

Faro versus Poker in the Wild West

One year I learned how to play Faro. I’d never even heard of it before! Faro is the card game you see people playing in Wild West movies. I always thought it was poker, but Faro was a very popular card game for gamblers.

And get a load of those guys’ mustaches! That’s a major commitment to history, am I right?

There's a trap door in the chapel floor - for raising & lowering coffins! (photo by Tui Snider) — There’s a trap door in the chapel floor – for raising & lowering coffins! (photo by Tui Snider)

Unique casket “elevator”

Whether you go before or after your tour, make sure you visit Oakwood’s Chapel. Not only will you see some really gorgeous stained glass windows. but they have a rectangular door in the floor up by the altar that has a rather unique function.

In the old days, caskets were stored in the basement where temperatures were naturally much cooler. When it was time for the memorial service, they would raise the casket up through this rectangular door in the floor. Clever, eh?

I wasn't the only one wiping my eyes after this WWII vet shared his story! (photo by Tui Snider) — I wasn’t the only one wiping my eyes after this WWII vet shared his story! (photo by Tui Snider)

Drop by my table and say hi!

I know it can be crowded, but when you come to the Saints and Sinners Tour you better stop by my table and say hi. Not in 2020, of course, but in the future.

I am a member of the North Fort Worth Historical Society and you can usually find me sitting with my husband, Larry, in the shade selling books and enjoying a really fun day at Oakwood Cemetery.

Is Oakwood the “John Smith” of cemetery names?

You’ve probably heard that John Smith is the most common name in America, right?

Well, I sometimes joke that Oakwood is the “John Smith” of cemetery names because it seems like every big city has at least one burial ground named Oakwood Cemetery.

How about you? Is there an Oakwood Cemetery near you? Let me know in the comments below.

Are historic cemeteries your happy place?

If, like me, historic cemeteries are your happy place, drop by my new store, GraveHour Gifts.

Plan your trip to Oakwood Cemetery’s Saints and Sinners Tour

To visit Oakwood Cemetery: You can visit Fort Worth’s Oakwood Cemetery year-round. The address is 701 Grand Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Saints and Sinners Facebook page: To find about upcoming historic cemetery tours in Oakwood, visit their Facebook page.

Tui Snider’s YouTube: I feature Oakwood Cemetery in several of my YouTube videos, so you may wish to check those out before your visit. Here’s the link: Exploring Historic Cemeteries.

To learn the spooky-but-true history behind a whole bunch of haunted places in North Texas (including Oakwood Cemetery), check out my travel guide: Paranormal Texas.

READ MY BOOKS: To see a list of all my published books, check out Tui Snider’s Amazon page.

Learn more about offbeat travel & historic cemeteries at my YouTube Channel

Want a FREE book? Click below:

Haunted Doll House Museum in Granbury, Texas

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[ For my FREE book about cemetery symbols, click here. The following article is an adapted excerpt from my travel guide to haunted places called, Paranormal Texas. Full disclosure: it’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy stuff after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Win/win, right?]

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]

Doll House Museum in Granbury, Texas

The Granbury Doll House Museum has over 2500 dolls from around the world. The dolls are on display throughout a two-story historic home that, when you think about it, kinda looks like a great big dollhouse.

This unique museum was founded by Jane Sharp and Barbara Williams. Jane and Barbara are sisters, and their Doll House Museum is truly a labor of love. The top floor of the house serves as a doll hospital, and is where the women painstakingly restore these historic playthings.

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]

A labor of love

A walk through the Granbury Doll House reveals everything from mass-produced Barbies and G.I. Joes to handcrafted one-of-a-kind pieces from famous doll makers.

Many of the dolls are donated by family members who no longer want them, but realize their historic significance. When there are no descendants to take these special dolls, Jane and Barbara fix them up and display them to the public.

Thomas Edison’s Dolly Rekord Doll

One of the most unique exhibits is a 1922 Dolly Rekord doll. It contains a wax cylinder created by Thomas Edison that allows it to “speak.” (Watch my YouTube video about the Granbury Doll House if you want to see and hear this amazing historic doll in action!)

When I asked museum volunteer, Vicky, which doll was her favorite, she immediately showed us this fascinating, and very historic, Dolly Rekord doll that you can see in the above photo.

Fun for all ages

On my first visit, I had a couple men in tow. I didn’t think they would find the place interesting, but we ended up staying for nearly 2 hours! Although I did have a Raggedy Ann, a few Barbies, and a Little Women doll (Jo, the writer, of course!), I was quite a tomboy growing up. So even I wasn’t sure how fun the doll museum would be. Well, let me tell you: if you enjoy history and toys, you will love Granbury’s Doll House Museum. The women who work there are so knowledgeable.

But is it a haunted doll museum?!?

As our visit drew to a close, I finally mustered up the courage to ask if the sisters ever experience paranormal activity at the museum. Some people are touchy about this, depending on their belief system, and the the last thing I wanted to do was irritate those lovely ladies!

The two merely laughed and told me the Granbury Doll House has its “share of spirits.” They went on to explain that not only do the Pirates of the Caribbean figures rearrange themselves on the shelf, but they often find some of them on the floor, as if they had been fighting.

Who’s afraid of the dark?

Another strange occurrence involves the second floor light. Even when they are sure they have turned it off, it often turns itself back on. When I suggested that perhaps one of the dolls is afraid of the dark, the women murmured that I just may have something there!

You can also watch my video of the Granbury Doll House Museum here:

Paranormal investigation at the haunted doll museum!

A few months later, I returned after hours to attend a paranormal investigation led by Greg Steven’s group, TxRIP. A command center was erected outside by the garage, and the air-conditioning was turned off inside the house.

This made for quite a hot experience. While I didn’t enjoy the sweat dripping down my back, this lack of a/c made the sudden pockets of ice-cold air during our investigation very obvious!

The results?

None of us felt anything sinister in the doll museum, but TX RIP detected several anomalies on their videos. You can visit their Facebook page, where they share results from their investigations by clicking here.

According to fellow author and noted psychic, Teal Gray, “For me, the highest concentration of energy was located near the stairs and the rooms to each side of the kitchen,” adding that, “A mischievous boy doll on top of the refrigerator with a big smile on his face seemed delighted we were there.” Overall, according to her psychic impressions, “The spirits seem to be very happy with Barbara and Jane running the museum .”

Plan your trip to the Granbury Doll House Museum

If you’d like to visit the museum, you’ll need to take a trip to Granbury, Texas. The museum is open most weekends from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. but I would check their Facebook page before going. Admission is free, and if the American flag is out, the museum is open.

To learn the spooky-but-true history behind a whole bunch more haunted places in North Texas, check out my travel guide: Paranormal Texas.

Let me know if you go to the Granbury Doll House or any of the other places in my books! And be sure to tell the ladies that Tui sent you! :)

Address: 421 Bridge Street, Granbury, Tx 76048

Website: www.facebook.com/TheGranburyDollHouse

What about you?

Think you’d enjoy visiting the Granbury Doll House Museum? Or would all the dolls make you nope right out of there?

READ MY BOOKS: To see a list of all my published books, check out Tui Snider’s Amazon page.

Learn more about offbeat travel & historic cemeteries at my YouTube Channel

Want a FREE book? Click below:

Fact vs Myth: The True Meaning of Coins on Military Headstones

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[The following is an adapted excerpt from my book, Grave Goods: The Meaning of Coins, Seashells & Other Items Left at Historic Cemeteries. I hope you enjoy it! Also, full disclosure: that’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy stuff after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you.]

Do coins mean specific things on military graves?

A modern urban legend that began making the rounds of the internet in 2009 claims that when coins are seen on military headstones, the different denominations mean specific things.

I wanted it to be true, but…

In recent years, readers have forwarded many articles about this to me, or told me about it in person. While it certainly sounds interesting, and I wanted it to be true, when I actually researched it, the story fell apart.

Red flags during research

To begin with, I was only able to find information about this practice online. It’s not in any of my reference book. Even worse, there were many inconsistencies in the accounts I read. For instance, according to one source, a quarter means you served in the same unit as the deceased, but according to another article, a quarter means that you were present when the deceased lost his life.

So which is it?

The same thing happened with all the other coins, too. Pennies, nickels, and dimes all meant something different according to different sources.

Myth vs Fact

Nor was I able to drill down to the origins of this practice. I finally turned to snopes.com, a website that specializes in separating facts from urban legends. Unfortunately, this turns out that this is a modern myth.

Of course, you may still find coins on a military headstone, just as you may find them on anybody’s headstone. I merely want to clarify that the practice of having different coins signify specific things on military headstones is a recent idea and not a longstanding practice. (To learn more about the meaning of items left at gravesites, check out my book: Grave Goods on Amazon.)

(c) Tui Snider - Visitors often leave coins on the grave of Machine Gun Kelley in Paradise, TX — (c) Tui Snider – Visitors often leave coins on the grave of Machine Gun Kelley in Paradise, TX

Traditions must start somewhere!

And who knows? Perhaps the idea of “which coin means what” will be definitively codified and people will begin to follow this tradition in a consistent manner. After all, traditions have to begin somewhere!

Challenge Coins left on military headstones

In any event, grave goods ranging from stuffed animals and photographs to military medals and coins frequently appear on the graves of soldiers. There is even something called a “challenge coin” that may be left by military personnel on a headstone.

Challenge coins are non-monetary metal tokens that some military units provide in order to promote morale. These tokens may be inscribed with a soldier’s unit or other identifying information. Like other grave goods, a challenge coin may be left on a military headstone.

So what do coins ACTUALLY mean on headstones?

The practice of leaving coins with the deceased dates back to the ancient Greeks, who believed the rivers Styx and Acheron separated the living from the dead. A ferry trip was required to cross these waters, otherwise the soul of the deceased would be forced to wander the river banks for 100 years.

To avoid this, ancient Greeks placed a coin in the mouths of their dead as a way to pay Charon, the ancient ferryman.

These days, coins may be found on just about anyone’s grave, but I see them most frequently at the graves of historic figures, especially criminals, such as the notorious “Machine Gun Kelley.”

So while nickels, dimes, and pennies do not mean specific things, in general, coins left at gravesites are a way to let others know that a grave has been visited and that you are wishing them well.

Here’s a video for Identifying US Veterans Graves:

Since you’re here, do you know how to quickly identify 3 different types of official American military markers for soldier’s gravesites? To see more examples and learn some surprising cemetery history, check out the video I made, too:

Memorial Day’s Forgotten History – Then and Now!

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the different types of US military grave markers. As you can see, there’s a shield on the Civil War type, the Confederate type comes to a point, and the General Type lacks the shield, is rounded, and has space for a religious emblem of belief.

Do you know Memorial Day’s Forgotten History? Here’s a video I made explaining:

What did Memorial Day used to be called?
Why do we celebrate it in May?
What does 3pm have to do with Memorial Day?
How did Memorial Day change after WWII?

WANT TO LEARN MORE? READ MY BOOKS: If you enjoy historic cemeteries and want to learn more, check out my books: Understanding Cemetery Symbols and Grave Goods. They’re available on Amazon.

Learn more at my YouTube Channel:

Do you have questions about headstone symbols? Drop by my YouTube channel and let me take you one some virtual cemetery tours! You can also tune in to my 30-minute historic cemetery podcast on the first Tuesday of each month: Tombstone Tuesday with Tui Snider.

READ MY BOOK: If you enjoy historic cemeteries and want to learn more, check out my book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols. It’s available on Amazon in paperback and ebook form.

Grab a FREE book:

How to Identify US Veterans’ Graves

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[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 stuff after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you.]

How to Identify US Veterans’ Graves

Today I’ll show you how to quickly identify 3 different types of official American military markers for soldier’s gravesites. To see more examples and learn some surprising history, check out the video I made, too:

Here’s a video for Identifying US Veterans Graves:

#1 Civil War Type Markers

The first official US military headstone is commonly called the Civil War Type because it came into use in 1873, shortly after the Civil War. It was subsequently used to mark the graves of soldiers who fought in other wars, too, including the Mexican War, Spanish American War, War of 1812, and even the American Revolution.

#2 Confederate Type Markers

Civil War markers were NOT awarded to those who fought for the Confederacy, however. In 1906, the government issued a special marble marker specifically for those who fought for the South. The emblem at the top of this stone is called a Southern Cross of Honor and/or Confederate Cross of Honor. (To learn more about that, check out my video!)

Confederate Type grave marker. (c) Tui Snider

#3 General Type Markers

Shortly after World War I, a new style of US military marker was developed. It’s called the General Type because the committee which created it contained two generals: Gen. Pershing and Gen. Rogers.

For more details about all 3 of these official military markers as well as some rather surprising history, make sure you watch my YouTube video: How to Identify US Veterans’ Graves.

General Type military grave markers. (c) Tui Snider

Side by Side Comparison of the 3 Official Markers

US military grave markers: side-by-side comparison. (c) Tui Snider

Flat marble military markers

Since many modern cemeteries do not allow standing monuments, the US War Department has also created flat markers, such as the marble one you see below:

Flat marble military marker. (c) Tui Snider

Flat bronze military markers

Bronze markers are also available in this style, as well. Here’s an example of that:

Flat bronze military marker. (c) Tui Snider

Official markers are not mandatory

While the US Veterans Administration will provide official markers for military personnel free of charge, soldiers are not required to use them. To see some unique examples of military gravesites that I’ve seen during my travels, check out my video: How to Identify Veterans’ Graves.

READ MY BOOK: If you enjoy historic cemeteries and want to learn more, check out my books: Understanding Cemetery Symbols and Grave Goods. They’re available on Amazon in paperback and ebook form.

Learn more at my YouTube Channel:

READ MY BOOK: If you enjoy historic cemeteries and want to learn more, check out my book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols. It’s available on Amazon in paperback and ebook form.

Grab a FREE book:

“A Quick Bite” Offers Bite-Sized Tales of Vampires, Werewolves & Zombies

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Do you read Flash Fiction?

Flash Fiction is a term referring to bite-sized stories ranging from 5 to 1500 words in length. They’re fun to read when you’re not in the mood to commit to a novel-length book, but you’d like a break from the real world.

What’s a Drabble?

A Drabble is a 100-word-long Flash Fiction story. A 200-word-long story is called a Double Drabble. Like any genre, not all Flash Fiction is created equal. When done right, the storyteller reels you in, surprises you with a sudden twist, and/or makes you care so much about the characters you just met that you want to read more.

Satisfying, but leaves you wanting more

I wasn’t much of a Drabble fan until my friend, Patricia Lynne (a.k.a. Patricia Josephine), started sharing hers. I’ve gotta say, Patty is a master of the Double Drabble. Her flash fiction manages to create a full story while still leaving me wanting to know what happens next. (I still feel sorry for one of the characters she wrote about in a story I read a few years back!)

Brand new book

So I’m excited to tell you about Patty’s brand new book: A Quick Bite. It’s a collection of Double Drabbles featuring vampires, werewolves, and zombies. Much like a box of fine chocolates, you will find it hard to stop at just one story in A Quick Bite! Grab your copy here: A Quick Bite.

Blurb for A Quick Bite

Vampires.
Werewolves.
Zombies.

These monsters tickle our imagination.

Sink your teeth into a collection of tales about paranormal creatures that go bump in the night. Each story is told in exactly 200 words and designed to give you a quick bite no matter how busy your day is.

Are you hungry?

About the author:

Patricia Josephine is a writer of Urban Fantasy and Sci-Fi Romance books. She actually never set out to become a writer, and in fact, she was more interested in art and band in high school and college. Her dreams were of becoming an artist like Picasso.

On a whim, she wrote down a story bouncing in her head for fun. That was the start of her writing journey, and she hasn’t regretted a moment. When she’s not writing, she’s watching Doctor Who or reading about serial killers.

She’s an avid knitter. One can never have too much yarn. She writes Young Adult Paranormal, Science Fiction, and Fantasy under the name Patricia Lynne.

Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, and has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow.

Follow Patricia Josephine online:
PatriciaJosephine.com
Patreon
Twitter
Facebook
Newsletter
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Smashwords

Learn more at my YouTube Channel:

Do you have questions about historic cemeteries and headstone symbols? Drop by my YouTube channel and let me take you one some virtual cemetery tours! You can also tune in to my 30-minute historic cemetery podcast on the first Tuesday of each month: Tombstone Tuesday with Tui Snider.

READ MY BOOK: If you enjoy historic cemeteries and want to learn more, check out my book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols. It’s available on Amazon in paperback and ebook form.

Grab a FREE book:

Exploring Historic Cemeteries: Zinc Monuments a.k.a. White Bronze

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April A to Z Challenge 2020: It’s that time of year! Every April, bloggers around the world make posts for each letter of the alphabet. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to make friends online. Here’s my post for today:

[The following is an adapted excerpt from my travel guide to haunted places, a book called Paranormal Texas. I hope you enjoy it! Also, full disclosure: that’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy stuff after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you.]

Zinc a.k.a. White Bronze monument (photo (c) Tui Snider)

What are “White Bronze” monuments?

From 1874 to 1914, the Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport Connecticut offered custom-made monuments made from a zinc alloy. Called “white bronze” to make them sound fancier, not only were these metal monuments less expensive than carved marble or limestone, but they were also much more durable.

They are so durable!

In fact, the inscriptions on these monuments are clearly legible even today. People could order these monuments through a catalogue, and customize them accordingly.

Distinctive color and easy to ID

After you’ve seen a few examples in person, you’ll be able to easily recognize white bronze monuments by their distinctive bluish gray color. If you’re not sure though, simply give one a tap with a stick or your hand.

Used by bootleggers?

Since these are hollow constructions, you will hear a metallic ringing sound. During the Prohibition Era, it’s claimed that boot- leggers sometimes pried panels off of these since monuments to hide booze inside. (I have not been able to confirm whether or not this is true, but the idea intrigues me!)

WWI put them out of business

During World War One, zinc was needed for guns and munitions, so the Monumental Bronze Company shifted its focus to aid the war effort. In 1939, they went out of business completely. I think that’s rather sad! Zinc monuments are some of my favorites. Are there any such “white bronze” monuments in burial grounds near you?

READ MY BOOK: If you enjoy historic cemeteries and want to learn more, check out my book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols. It’s available on Amazon in paperback and ebook form.

Learn more at my Historic Cemetery Podcast & YouTube Channel:

READ MY BOOK: If you enjoy historic cemeteries and want to learn more, check out my book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols. It’s available on Amazon in paperback and ebook form.

#GraveHour

Oakwood Saints and Sinners Tour

2020 Consolation Prize!

Cemeteries are Open-air Museums

Fort Worth is “Where the West begins”

Faro versus Poker in the Wild West

Unique casket “elevator”

Drop by my table and say hi!

Is Oakwood the “John Smith” of cemetery names?

Are historic cemeteries your happy place?

Plan your trip to Oakwood Cemetery’s Saints and Sinners Tour

Learn more about offbeat travel & historic cemeteries at my YouTube Channel

Want a FREE book? Click below:

Doll House Museum in Granbury, Texas

A labor of love

Thomas Edison’s Dolly Rekord Doll

Fun for all ages

But is it a haunted doll museum?!?

Who’s afraid of the dark?

You can also watch my video of the Granbury Doll House Museum here:

Paranormal investigation at the haunted doll museum!

The results?

Plan your trip to the Granbury Doll House Museum

What about you?

Learn more about offbeat travel & historic cemeteries at my YouTube Channel

Want a FREE book? Click below:

Do coins mean specific things on military graves?

I wanted it to be true, but…

Red flags during research

Myth vs Fact

Traditions must start somewhere!

Challenge Coins left on military headstones

So what do coins ACTUALLY mean on headstones?

Here’s a video for Identifying US Veterans Graves:

Memorial Day’s Forgotten History – Then and Now!

Learn more at my YouTube Channel:

How to Identify US Veterans’ Graves

Here’s a video for Identifying US Veterans Graves:

#1 Civil War Type Markers

#2 Confederate Type Markers

#3 General Type Markers

Side by Side Comparison of the 3 Official Markers

Flat marble military markers

Flat bronze military markers

Official markers are not mandatory

Learn more at my YouTube Channel:

What’s a Drabble?

Satisfying, but leaves you wanting more

Brand new book

Blurb for A Quick Bite

About the author:

Follow Patricia Josephine online: PatriciaJosephine.com Patreon Twitter Facebook Newsletter Goodreads Amazon Author Page Smashwords

Learn more at my YouTube Channel:

Grab a FREE book:

What are “White Bronze” monuments?

They are so durable!

Distinctive color and easy to ID

Used by bootleggers?

WWI put them out of business

Learn more at my Historic Cemetery Podcast & YouTube Channel:

Grab a FREE copy of my book:

Sign up below for your FREE book:

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