Around 11 this fine Friday's morning I had successfully been injected with a COVID booster shot. Even though I was dressed for a doctor's visit, not in my regular outdoor exercise garb, I decided, since I was in the neighborhood I would head toward Lucy Park for some nature communing in long pants.
But, before one gets to Lucy Park one comes to Riverside Cemetery. The biggest graveyard in Wichita Falls. Riverside Cemetery is on a bluff above the Wichita River and adjacent to Lucy Park. It is from Riverside Cemetery that the manmade Wichita Falls flows. We will get to that further along.
But, first let's take a walk around this huge cemetery. There are multiple historical markers in this cemetery, the first being that which you see above, near the Riverside Cemetery entry. This historical marker explains the historical nature of this cemetery and the many local notables buried here.
As you can see there is a wide variety of final resting places, including many of the above ground crypt sort.
The above historical marker for Felix L. Lindsey is an interesting one. Born in Kentucky to a mulatto mother and full blooded Creek father, Felix was sent to live with a white family named Meeks when he was seven. In 1882 Felix joined the army and became a Buffalo Soldier. His unit was involved in the pursuit and capture of Geronimo. In those Apache battles Felix suffered several wounds, which eventually ended his army career at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a few miles north of Wichita Falls. So, Felix moved to Wichita Falls, got married, had nine children. Felix began a couple business, earning the respect of his customers.
This historical marker ends poignantly with "Felix Lindsey is a testament fo the passion and perseverance of African Americans after the Civil War to prosper and earn respect during a turbulent time in Texas and our nation."
No details, other than the photograph, were seen in the above what must be a recent burial.
A historical marker about Joseph Kemp. One of Wichita Falls' founding fathers. You see the Kemp name all over town.
A couple of the above ground crypts, above and below.
Do people have a key to the door in these crypts and come and visit?
I tried to get a photo showing how large Riverside Cemetery is. The above is the best I came up with.
And here I am looking through the chain link fence which separates Riverside Cemetery from Wichita Falls. If you look close you can see the top of the falls at the center left of the photo.
It was rather an enjoyable walk today meandering around Riverside Cemetery. I only walked a few of the roads. I suspect the grand total is many miles of road to walk in this cemetery.
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