CLAREMONT — In 1923 William H. H. Moody graciously donated five sets of gates and pillars to the local Claremont cemeteries.
These once elaborate structures consist of two pair of double gates and two walk gates. Made by the Stewart Iron Works Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1920’s, they measure 12 feet in width in the middle and 6 feet in width for the side entrances. In the center, the gates stand 9 feet high.
Moody (the gentleman who also donated Moody Park to the City) said, “the new gates add the final touch to extensive improvements to our cemeteries.”
The gates and pillars that once stood at the Main Street entrance were destroyed more than 20 years ago. Consequently, the gates were “stored” in a scrap pile in the Department of Public Works yard and were recently retrieved and restored by 3-D Welding Company of Claremont. However, funds are now needed to rebuild the pillars.
In an effort to restore some of Claremont’s history, officials are now embarking on a campaign to seek donations for the Mt. View Cemetery pillars. Should funds allow, any additional money to repair the gates and pillars to the West Pleasant Street Cemetery will be utilized.
Please make your tax-deductible contribution to the “City of Claremont – Gate Restoration Project” and mail it to the City of Claremont’s Finance Director, 58 Opera House Square, Claremont, N.H. 03743. Please indicate “cemetery gate project” on the check.
For additional information please contact Norma Limoges at 504-0351.
Mt. View Cemetery (7,791 graves) and West Pleasant Street Cemetery (6,058 graves – some are Civil War Veterans) are the two city-owned cemeteries that are home to these failing structures.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.