Crew Finds Possible Grave Remnants Outside Children’s Hospital

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Crews that were working prior to construction on a local roadway uncovered more than just dirt and gravel Monday. They found indications of a historic final resting place undergound just outside of Children’s Hospital.

It began on the city’s east side at 18th and Livingston near Children’s Hospital.

Officials said there are indications that human remains could be buried underground.

The area is a former cemetery that was closed more than 125 years ago. But there are three spots that show not all of the graves may have been removed.

Livingston Avenue will be widened around Parsons for reconstruction of the intersection. City officials knew the area used to be the East Cemetery, so in April, they used ground-penetrating radar and found three spots that could be human remains.

“We did find some things that led us to believe that maybe and maybe not, but we were not sure, so just to be proactive before the construction starts, we’re doing these digs here,“ said Rick Tilton, Assistant Public Services Director.

The cemetery was closed in 1882 and all graves were moved to Greenlawn Cemetery.

But grave locations from the 1800s are far from an exact science.

“The records are gone and in some cases, these were unmarked graves. The family members did the actual burial because they didn’t have a formal ceremony or a formal burial. In some cases, they may have buried a family member, wrapped them in sheets and put them in a shallow grave,“ Tilton said.

If any remains are found, they will be given to a local funeral home for burial.

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