Memorial Mound

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Entrance of Memorial Mound. Photo by Leland Kent of abandonedsoutheast.com

Memorial Mound is a below-ground mausoleum constructed in 1992 by Claude Booth on a 16-acre site at 3500 Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemer.

The floor of the interior of the mound is eight feet below grade, accessed by a wide stairway flanked by fountains. To either side of the chapel area, steel racks were installed with space to stack caskets 8-high. Burial packages included an on-site funeral service, as well as a custom-made video about each person interred, accessible from a public computer terminal.

It is uncertain when the Memorial Mound closed for business and ceased to be maintained. No taxes were paid on the property after Booth's death in 2009, and the site was left abandoned. After photographs taken by "urban explorers" were publicized on al.com in early 2015 Bessemer officials took steps to secure the facility. All remains were removed to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office for protection while efforts were made to contact family members. Unclaimed bodies were interred at the Jefferson County Cemetery near Morris.

Interments

  • Clara Anderson (1916-1994)
  • Littie M. Lewis (1914-2001)
  • Veronica Lewis (1952-2002)
  • Willie Henry Miller (1928-2002)
  • Paul Norris (1935-1992)
  • Estella Poston (1907-2001)
  • Eddie Mae Roberson (1937-1993)
  • Jamieral Treshaun Ziegler (1992-1993)

References

  • Robinson, Carol (January 14, 2015) "Ransacked caskets and neglect have turned dream to disgrace at Memorial Mound mausoleum." The Birmingham News
  • Robinson, Carol (January 15, 2015) "Remains being removed from abandoned and ransacked Memorial Mound mausoleum." The Birmingham News
  • Robinson, Carol (February 2, 2015) "Remains of 1 infant, 7 adults recovered from abandoned mausoleum identified." The Birmingham News

External links