By Fred L. Jones, Jr.
Eagle Staff Writer
Tulsa north’s Crown Hill cemetery, located near the Cherokee Expressway on East 66th Street North, holds special meaning to Tulsa’s African American community.
Crown Hill at one time was the only cemetery that African Americans were allowed to be buried and holds a rich storied value too many of the community’s families. Tulsa north has supported Crown Hill very well over the years.
There are so many families connected to this sacred ground that its almost too many to attempt to count. The Tulsa north community wants the current owners to take more pride in the upkeep and presentation of the hallowed ground. Roads need to be paved or at least gravel put down to ensure decent access to the burial ground. As of last week, nothing had been done to deal with this problem. The grounds themselves need to be kept up to a presentable standard with consistent lawn service.
The Oklahoma Eagle contacted County Commissioner John Smaligo about the burial ground and this is what he had to say, “I’ve viewed the grounds and visited with the owner of Crown Hill Cemetery, Aric White. I agree the grounds need mowing and weed eating. I passed along the concerns I’ve heard to Mr. White. I think the public should know county governments do not have regulatory authority over private cemeteries. I have no ability to force Mr. White to address the high grass and general conditions of the area, however I’m hosting a meeting on June 16 at 10:00 a.m. in my office at the courthouse with concerned citizens and Mr. White to discuss possible solutions.”
Tulsan Edna Cherry stated, “They are not keeping it up, the fence needs to be put up, and they also need to clarify some burial plots with some of the customers.”
