Yet Another Mystery

Inside Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, CA there is what I refer to as "The Big Tree Thing" I have only been able to find one reference to it on the internet. It appears in a book called Alive in Necropolis and is referred to as "The Fern Grotto". There is definitely a stone structure underneath it all. Peering around the side I can see what looks to have been a walkway with a handrail made of tree branches. There is also an old bench that I could see looking over the edge. I know it's somebody's last resting place but who's? I talked to another person that visits here regularly and she said that not even staff can tell her who is buried here. I'd estimate the structure somewhere between 40 and 60ft tall. Around the side it has a gate with a sign that of course says "Caution Keep Out". It looks like one of these days when nobody is looking I'll have to risk life and limb to jump the fence and see what's in there.

This is a picture of the foliage that has crept up over the side of the structure over many years. I love this structure but I'd still like to know the story that goes with it. I'm hoping someone out there can tell me a little something about it.

Tombstone Tuesday - Unknown Mausoleum

This picture was taken at St. John's Cemetery in San Mateo California. Upon entering the cemetery it was the first thing that caught my eye. How could you miss it? It looked like something you'd see if you were to visit ancient Rome. The strange thing is there were no markings on it at all. Nothing saying who was buried inside and the door seemed to be made of iron. Nobody on the internet can tell me who is buried here. I guess I could call the cemetery and see if they'll tell me but what would be the fun in that?

Above you see the original picture as it came out of my camera. Here you see a color version I edited using Photoshop. You can see I've changed a few things. I love this picture and will probaby order it on canvas when i get a chance.







This is another edited version of the same picture done in an antique style. Both pictures came out great and I'm happy with the results. I just wish I knew who was buried here. I'm not sure why they chose to not mark it with something. The graves in front of it are not part of this beautiful monument. Although this wasn't a terribly huge cemetery it just goes to show you that every cemetery has a hidden gem. The cemetery was also in an odd place. Nestled in between a residential neighborhood surrounded by houses. If it weren't for GPS I would have probably never known it was there. It was beautiful for a smaller cemetery and definitely worth a visit...