Tiskilwa group tackles cemetery upgrades

Rick McCauley of Tiskilwa’s McCauley Construction Co. works on the roof of the new gazebo in the Mount Bloom Cemetery on the edge of Tiskilwa. The Friends of Mount Bloom group has raised funds for the gazebo and accompanying work on the cemetery stairway. (Photo contributed)

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TISKILWA — The Mount Bloom Cemetery on the west edge of Tiskilwa is getting a facelift.

The Friends of Mount Bloom, a grassroots organization formed about a year ago, has developed a two-part plan for improvements to the historic cemetery, spokesperson Cecille Gerber said. Phase 1 involves the restoration of the concrete stairway leading up the east bluff to the cemetery and the construction of a gazebo in the cemetery. With last week’s completion of the gazebo, the efforts of the Friends of Mount Bloom have begun to show visual signs of progress, Gerber said.

The new gazebo replaces a small “waiting room” building, constructed in 1895 and destroyed during a 2007 wind storm, Gerber said. The gazebo was designed and shipped last spring by Amish Country Gazebos in Pennsylvania. It was stored by Jim Read until it could be assembled by Rick McCauley, Rollin Wright and Leonard McCauley.

“We’re thrilled to see the new gazebo ‘standing proud’ and adding to the special character of Tiskilwa’s old cemetery,” Gerber said. “We tried to choose a design and color scheme that suggests the old waiting room that once stood in the same spot. In the future, we hope to see the gazebo used for Memorial Day ceremonies, private services or just a quiet place for reflection.”

Within the next few weeks, volunteers will plant a perennial garden around the perimeter of the gazebo, Gerber said. Also, cemetery Superintendent Gary Wagner will re-install the pump and handle for the adjacent artesian well.

Concerning the cemetery stairway, Gerber said five Friends members cleared and cleaned the steps last spring. A few weeks ago, two other Friends sprayed to eliminate the poison ivy in the area.

About 10 of the estimated 90 steps contain cracked or crumbled areas that need repair. Erosion has caused the lowest landing to shift downward. The landing is beyond repair and has to be replaced, Gerber said.

The Friends have contracted with M.C. Jones Concrete Co. of Tiskilwa to shore up, repair and replace the steps, landings and railings, as well as to construct a “dead man wall” at the lowest landing to redirect run-off water and prevent erosion.

Phase 2 of the cemetery work will be the installation of an arch on the north side of the road at the lower cemetery entrance. Local blacksmith Vickie “Doc” Schertz is working on a gateway design to replicate the entrance arch on the south side of the road. As funds permit, Phase 2 will also involve placing one or more memorial plaques by the gazebo.

The Friends group has raised nearly $14,000 through memorials and donations from more than 100 families, Gerber said. Since the extent of the restoration still harbors some unknown costs, the Friends continue to accept memorial donations.

Donations may be sent to Mount Bloom Restoration, in care of the Tiskilwa Historical Society, P.O. Box 87, Tiskilwa, Ill. 61368. The historical society is acting as fiscal agent for the fund until all monies are expended.

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