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Having grown up in Longville about 250 feet from the Longville Riverside Cemetery I have decided to start an effort to rebuild the cemetery entrance and make other needed improvements. My grandfather, Art Thompson, and my uncle, Bill Condon, were, at far different times, responsible for its maintenance. I am sure I will get full cooperation from the City and several old friends and classmates.

The nature and extent of the improvements will depend on our ability to raise money. The Longville City Clerk will work with the City Council to establish a proper fund to which the money can be donated.

I know that many of you have friends and relatives laid to rest there and, in my opinion, there is no more beautiful cemetery anywhere.

In addition to rebuilding the entrance we would like to improve and update the guide map building (that my Aunt, Phyllis Woodley donated) and improve and update the map guide. There also has been a suggestion to clean and polish the oldest of the headstones many of which are barely readable and may have no descendants to tend to them.

Whether you can contribute a small or large amount I encourage you to make whatever donation you can. Once we determine how much money we can raise we will meet with the City Council, the current caretaker, and any of you who wish to participate, to decide what can be done.

Certainly, it is the least we can do for those who have gone before us and (face it) many of us who will be at rest there in the future.

Donations should be made to the City of Longville Cemetery Fund and you may contact the City Clerk if you need help with your donations.

If you have questions or suggestions you can call me at 218-335-2709 (in Bemidji). I am usually most available in the early evening. My email is [email protected].[[In-content Ad]]

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