TYLER (KYTX)- One of the oldest cemeteries in Tyler is missing tombstones and some of the markers are cracked in pieces.
This is why Oakwood Cemetery is getting five-thousand dollars for rebuilding and restoration.
"This has the Baldwin name on the front--it has these on either side..." said Jimmie Horton, cemetery restoration committee member.
If anyone asks Jimmie about Oakwood's rich history he could probably tell you a thing or two about a majority of the families buried there.
Then there are graves he knows nothing about, that's mainly because they're unmarked.
"In 1940 the sexton house burned down and with all the records-- what we do is a great deal of studies at the library going back and looking at old records..." said Horton.
Until yesterday, that was all Horton and the other Spirits of Oakwood members had to identify the unmarked graves.
Now, Historic Tyler Inc. has provided $5,000 for the committee to further investigate.
"These funds are going to allow us to run a GPR through here to get graves," said Horton.
The Ground Penetrating Radar machine will cost $3,000 to rent for locating unmarked graves.
That device will work like a detector to find plots like these with no tombstones.
The other funds will be used to have broken tombstones repaired.
"A lot of markers are very poor sandstone and marble and if they get moisture in them and it freezes... then they crack," he said.
"So we've got a number of markers the committee pays for every year and this grant will help us a great deal," said Horton.
The restoration committee plans to begin repairs next fall.
