Grave of Nancy Barnett (in the middle of the road)

USA / Indiana / Edinburgh /
 cemetery, folklore, interesting place
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At one time her grave was surrounded by other graves, but the rural horse path through the family plot eventually became a road and the other graves were moved. Her son refused to let her grave be disturbed, and at that time it wasn't in the way much.

Years later the road was widened and her grave was in the way then, but a relative named Willard Barnett threatened workmen with a shotgun and wouldn't allow the grave to be moved. Today it sits on a little hill in the middle of the road with a historical marker.
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The unusual gravesite has required the Indiana Department of Transportation to erect the only warning sign of its kind in the state, and probably the country.

The yellow and black diagonal sign informs motorists that the road ahead diverts around a single cross in the middle.

The unusual arrangement has given rise to a number of "legends" about why the grave is where it is, the most ludicrous being that the grave is that of an Indian princess or locally known and feared witch, and the highway workers feared that a curse would befall them if they moved the grave. Other dubious legends say that the flat table grave glows on certain nights.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   39°25'11"N   85°58'33"W

Comments

  • Its only fair...would you want to be moved when you die?
  • i don't think I'd care much... after all I'd be dead.
  • Goodness forbid they curve the road 12 feet to either side.
This article was last modified 13 years ago