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Eloise Cemetery

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1229: 134:, then 15 years old, would drive his mother from Detroit to the morgue which was a red brick building at Eloise called the round house because of its shape and they would prepare the body for burial. White sheets were used to line the wooden coffins and, unless the patient had clothing, they were covered in another white sheet. If family or friends were present there would be an interment service; if not the deceased would just be buried by inmates. 261:. There are substantial procedures concerning moving or abandoning a cemetery. Cemeteries are protected by Michigan law, and disinterment is prohibited and re-interment is strictly regulated, with requirements for notice and an opportunity to be heard, and for just compensation if there is an objection. 189:
The field lay forgotten and neglected, especially since the last burial (in one of the three plots) was in 1948; it now stands in the way of other uses, and is seen as a responsibility by Wayne County commissioners who are perplexed over use of the Eloise site. The presence of over 7,000 marked but
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About 7,100 people were buried in the Eloise cemetery between 1910 and 1948. These were patients who died at the institution and had no known relatives or relatives who were unwilling or unable to bury them. Only numbered blocks identify the graves. After 1948 all unclaimed bodies were sent to the
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which occurred in 1910. Part of the artificial lake at that time had to be filled in. There were actually two other cemeteries that were used to bury Eloise patients after the turn of the century. The first was on the northeast corner of farmland south of Michigan Avenue and one further south on
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College of Medicine and no further burials were made there. Burial records in the late 1920s and 1930s were especially problematical or nonexistent. For example, "There were only four extant death records for 1934." The names of over 4,000 of the 7,100 people buried in the cemetery were added to
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The cemetery is owned and maintained by Wayne County. It is fenced and there are "No Trespassing" signs posted. The graves are marked by numbered markers and the names of most of the people buried there have been lost to history. However, presently 6,158 of the burials are now on FindAGrave.
95:. The majority of burials were from the Infirmary Division which was the largest of the three divisions, housing up to 7,000 patients at a time. Most burials were of adult males, but there are women and a few infants and children. 469: 975: 216:. According to Frank Rembisz, former Hamtramck city council president, to move the cemetery, they needed to get surviving relatives's permission, and would have had to retain " 831: 205:
ended its operations there, citing the city's inability to keep its promises and the need for longer runways to accommodate larger jet aircraft. Likewise, in the 1980s, the
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scholars from Israel to sift through the earth to make sure there were no remains left." General Motors decided the expense exceeded the benefit, and left it in place.
775: 126:, who founded "The House of Diggs" (reputed to be Michigan's largest funeral home at one time) and a politician, to handle burials in the cemetery and transfers to 107:
to move bodies which had been buried northwest of the County House to an island in the middle of the reservoir. This move was made to enable the first paving of
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Report on analysis and survey of Eloise Hospital and Infirmary: prepared and issued by the County Research Bureau Division of Board of Wayne County Auditors
391: 579: 358: 127: 1309: 1270: 611: 854: 533: 1106: 1083: 1018: 797: 724: 695: 463: 201:'s runway because the adjoining Gethsemane Cemetery blocked the way, and outraged relatives protested. As a result, a few years later 979: 190:
unnamed graves — and the absence of many supporting records — is potentially an insuperable obstacle to any future development.
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the farm site facing Henry Ruff Road. The second cemetery is surrounded by pine trees and is the one used from 1910 to 1948.
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In the early days patients were buried by inmates or employees of the institution. In 1937 the contract was given to
87:. The patients buried in the cemetery were from the Infirmary Division, the William P. Seymour General Hospital, the 449: 209: 381: 248:. In addition there were ledgers kept by the hospital on deaths of patients used to record names of some burials. 938: 108: 103:
The first notation made of an institutional cemetery was in 1892 when the Hospital arranged with Catholic Bishop
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Burials in the Eloise Cemetery, and Removals to Medical Schools, Westland, Wayne County, Michigan, 1935–1943
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Burials in the Eloise Cemetery, and Removals to Medical Schools, Westland, Wayne County, Michigan, 1935–1943
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Patricia Ibbotson worked as a nurse at Eloise before it was closed. She is also the author of the book,
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A History of the Wayne County Infirmary, Psychiatric, and General Hospital Complex at Eloise, Michigan
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A History of the Wayne County Infirmary, Psychiatric, and General Hospital Complex at Eloise Michigan
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A History of the Wayne County Infirmary, Psychiatric, and General Hospital Complex at Eloise Michigan
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Untold Tales, Unsung Heroes, An Oral History of Detroit's African American Community 1918–1967
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Untold Tales, Unsung Heroes, An Oral History of Detroit's African American Community 1918–1967
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as state law mandated that these functions be handled or supervised by a licensed mortician.
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McConnell, Darci; McWhirter, Cameron; Smith, Joel J. (March 20, 2002).
811: 532:. October 15, 2007. Michigan Historical Markers Registered Site S0699. 258: 217: 212:
was built around Beth Olem, a/k/a The Smith Street Cemetery, a small
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Wayne Co., Mich. Board of County Auditors. Research Bureau (2011) .
965:"Cemetery Law & Rules: Cemetery Regulation Act: Act 251 of 1968" 236:
The names were obtained by going through the death certificates on
888:"The True Story of the Cemetery in the General Motors Parking Lot" 237: 1200:
Caring for the County's Poor: a character repository of Eloise
290:. Detroit: Thos. Smith Press. pp. 70, 73, 125, 267, 375. 257:
Under Michigan law, disturbing a grave site or cemetery is a
154:. She raised money for the historic marker. She also wrote 16:
Part of the Eloise hospital complex in Wayne County, Michigan
1122:. Detroit: Thos. Smith Press. pp. 70, 73, 125, 267, 375 901:. Jewish Historical Society of Michigan: 30. Archived from 158:
which has an entire chapter of captioned photos of Eloise.
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Marwil, Milton (Winter 1992). Cantor, Judith Levin (ed.).
798:"Detroit Will Spare Cemetery In an Airport Expansion Plan" 193:
Similar situations exist. In 1989, former, Detroit Mayor
1264:(According to this source, there were three cemeteries.) 976:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
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Eloise: Poorhouse, Farm, Asylum and Hospital 1839–1984
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Eloise: Poorhouse, Farm, Asylum and Hospital 1839–1984
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Eloise: Poorhouse, Farm, Asylum and Hospital 1839–1984
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Eloise: Poorhouse, Farm, Asylum and Hospital 1839–1984
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and going through original death certificates in the
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From the 19th century, the cemetery was a source of
50: 35: 30: 21: 742:"Detroit Journal; Must Cemetery Yield to Airport?" 631: 629: 67:was the name applied to cemeteries used by the 1044:Ibbotson, Patricia; Friends of Eloise (2011). 636:Ibbotson, Patricia; Friends of Eloise (2011). 1237:"Records for Eloise (Wayne County, Michigan)" 576:"Records for Eloise (Wayne County, Michigan)" 558:. Detroit Society for Genealogical Research. 499:. Detroit Society for Genealogical Research. 169:, which were used by medical students at the 8: 1208:. Detroit Society for Genealogical Research 928:"Michigan Annotations – Burial Law Project" 1227: 18: 128:Wayne State University School of Medicine 1072:Detroit's Hospitals, Healers and Helpers 713:Detroit's Hospitals, Healers and Helpers 520: 518: 279: 277: 156:Detroit's Hospitals, Healers and Helpers 1070:Ibbotson, Patricia (January 11, 2004). 343: 341: 339: 273: 229: 978:State of Michigan. November 4, 2002 . 93:Eloise Hospital (Psychiatric Division) 7: 1325:Cemeteries in Wayne County, Michigan 1013:(Paperback). lulu.com. p. 154. 740:Wilkerson, Isabel (March 30, 1988). 380:Pearson, Richard (August 26, 1998). 1320:Cemeteries established in the 1890s 654:from the original on April 29, 2024 472:from the original on April 29, 2024 448:Ibbotson, Patricia (June 2, 2002). 115:In effect, this was operated as a " 750:. Photo Credits: NYT/Peter Yates. 491:Ibbotson, Patricia (May 5, 2014). 14: 610:. Ancestry.com LLC. May 5, 2014. 294:from the original on May 12, 2014 1039:. Wayne County General Hospital. 985:from the original on May 9, 2014 945:from the original on May 9, 2014 834:from the original on May 9, 2014 778:from the original on May 9, 2014 614:from the original on May 9, 2014 582:from the original on May 9, 2014 562:from the original on May 9, 2014 536:from the original on May 9, 2014 503:from the original on May 9, 2014 394:from the original on May 9, 2014 361:from the original on May 9, 2014 317:. Wayne County General Hospital. 1310:1892 establishments in Michigan 357:. Roots web. November 1, 1998. 1135:Latzman, Elaine (March 1994). 1: 1116:Keenan, Stanislas M. (1913). 1097:(Paperback). Charleston, SC: 1074:(Softcover). Charleston, SC: 1007:Baldassarro, R. Wolf (2010). 715:(Softcover). Charleston, SC: 686:(Paperback). Charleston, SC: 454:(Paperback). Charleston, SC: 284:Keenan, Stanislas M. (1913). 1143:Wayne State University Press 1010:A Ghost Hunter's Field Guide 421:Wayne State University Press 242:Burton Historical Collection 1093:Ibbotson, Patricia (2002). 711:Ibbotson, Patricia (2004). 682:Ibbotson, Patricia (2002). 197:abandoned a plan to expand 1341: 382:"Charles Diggs Dies at 75" 1235:Jasia (October 2, 2006). 939:Washington College of Law 574:Jasia (October 2, 2006). 71:located in what was then 56:Nankin Township, Michigan 26: 1035:Clark, Alvin C. (1982). 413:Latzman, Elaine (1994). 328:Clark, Alvin C. (1982). 313:Clark, Alvin C. (1982). 238:Seeking Michigan website 895:Michigan Jewish History 175:Detroit Medical College 69:Eloise hospital complex 246:Detroit Public Library 171:University of Michigan 140:Wayne State University 77:Wayne County, Michigan 1286:42.28117°N 83.33918°W 1179:University of Chicago 1141:. Detroit, Michigan: 419:. Detroit, Michigan: 124:Charles C. Diggs, Sr. 199:Detroit City Airport 1291:42.28117; -83.33918 1282: /  936:American University 387:The Washington Post 207:Hamtramck, Michigan 1315:Westland, Michigan 1099:Arcadia Publishing 1076:Arcadia Publishing 803:The New York Times 756:The New York Times 747:The New York Times 717:Arcadia Publishing 688:Arcadia Publishing 672:Clem 2007 Observer 456:Arcadia Publishing 203:Southwest Airlines 132:Charles Diggs, Jr. 1254:. Asylum Projects 1206:"Eloise Cemetery" 1119:History of Eloise 814:. April 1, 1988. 602:"Eloise Cemetery" 556:"Eloise Cemetery" 493:"Eloise Cemetery" 287:History of Eloise 181:Present situation 105:John Samuel Foley 62: 61: 1332: 1297: 1296: 1294: 1293: 1292: 1287: 1283: 1280: 1279: 1278: 1275: 1263: 1261: 1259: 1247: 1245: 1243: 1231: 1217: 1215: 1213: 1189: 1187: 1185: 1160: 1131: 1129: 1127: 1112: 1089: 1066: 1064: 1062: 1040: 1031: 1029: 1027: 995: 994: 992: 990: 984: 972:dleg.state.mi.us 969: 961: 955: 954: 952: 950: 932:wcl.american.edu 924: 918: 917: 915: 913: 907: 892: 883: 877: 876: 874: 872: 863:. Archived from 860:The Detroit News 850: 844: 843: 841: 839: 794: 788: 787: 785: 783: 737: 731: 730: 708: 702: 701: 679: 673: 670: 664: 663: 661: 659: 633: 624: 623: 621: 619: 598: 592: 591: 589: 587: 571: 569: 567: 552: 546: 545: 543: 541: 522: 513: 512: 510: 508: 488: 482: 481: 479: 477: 445: 439: 438: 410: 404: 403: 401: 399: 377: 371: 370: 368: 366: 354:The Detroit News 345: 334: 333: 325: 319: 318: 310: 304: 303: 301: 299: 281: 262: 255: 249: 234: 195:Coleman A. Young 46: 44: 19: 1340: 1339: 1335: 1334: 1333: 1331: 1330: 1329: 1300: 1299: 1290: 1288: 1284: 1281: 1276: 1273: 1271: 1269: 1268: 1257: 1255: 1252:"Eloise Asylum" 1250: 1241: 1239: 1234: 1221:Eloise Cemetery 1211: 1209: 1204: 1196: 1183: 1181: 1170: 1167: 1165:Further reading 1157: 1134: 1125: 1123: 1115: 1109: 1092: 1086: 1078:. p. 128. 1069: 1060: 1058: 1050:. P. Ibbotson. 1043: 1034: 1025: 1023: 1021: 1006: 1003: 998: 988: 986: 982: 967: 963: 962: 958: 948: 946: 941:. 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Sanitarium 73:Nankin Township 65:Eloise Cemetery 58: 42: 40: 22:Eloise Cemetery 17: 12: 11: 5: 1338: 1336: 1328: 1327: 1322: 1317: 1312: 1302: 1301: 1266: 1265: 1248: 1232: 1218: 1202: 1195: 1194:External links 1192: 1191: 1190: 1166: 1163: 1162: 1161: 1155: 1132: 1113: 1108:978-0738519548 1107: 1090: 1085:978-0738532233 1084: 1067: 1041: 1032: 1020:978-0557050949 1019: 1002: 999: 997: 996: 956: 919: 908:on May 9, 2014 878: 867:on May 9, 2014 845: 789: 732: 726:978-0738532233 725: 703: 697:978-0738519548 696: 674: 665: 625: 593: 547: 514: 483: 465:978-0738519548 464: 458:. p. 94. 440: 433: 405: 372: 335: 332:. p. 114. 320: 305: 272: 270: 267: 264: 263: 250: 228: 227: 225: 222: 210:Poletown plant 182: 179: 167:body snatching 117:Potter's Field 100: 97: 60: 59: 54: 52: 48: 47: 37: 33: 32: 28: 27: 24: 23: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1337: 1326: 1323: 1321: 1318: 1316: 1313: 1311: 1308: 1307: 1305: 1298: 1295: 1253: 1249: 1238: 1233: 1230: 1226: 1222: 1219: 1207: 1203: 1201: 1198: 1197: 1193: 1180: 1176: 1175: 1169: 1168: 1164: 1158: 1152: 1148: 1144: 1140: 1139: 1133: 1121: 1120: 1114: 1110: 1104: 1100: 1096: 1091: 1087: 1081: 1077: 1073: 1068: 1057: 1053: 1049: 1048: 1042: 1038: 1033: 1022: 1016: 1012: 1011: 1005: 1004: 1000: 981: 977: 973: 966: 960: 957: 944: 940: 937: 933: 929: 923: 920: 904: 900: 896: 889: 882: 879: 866: 862: 861: 856: 849: 846: 833: 829: 825: 821: 817: 813: 809: 805: 804: 799: 793: 790: 777: 773: 769: 765: 761: 757: 754:. 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Index

Nankin Township, Michigan
Eloise hospital complex
Nankin Township
Wayne County, Michigan
Westland
Michigan
T.B. Sanitarium
Eloise Hospital (Psychiatric Division)
John Samuel Foley
Michigan Avenue
Potter's Field
Charles C. Diggs, Sr.
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Charles Diggs, Jr.
Wayne State University
Find A Grave
cadavers
body snatching
University of Michigan
Detroit Medical College
Coleman A. Young
Detroit City Airport
Southwest Airlines
Hamtramck, Michigan
Poletown plant
Jewish cemetery
Talmudic
Seeking Michigan website
Burton Historical Collection
Detroit Public Library

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