Shallow Lake Cemetery of Cane River, LA

[Dusty Fuqua]

The Shallow Lake Cemetery: Many have heard this site referenced, few have seen it with their own eyes. Per NPS-CARI and Cultural Lore projects, I have identified at least 5 collections of grave markers and wrought iron crosses at CRNHA sites original to Shallow Lake Cemetery. Along with Dr. Dayna Lee, Dr. Pete Gregory, and Oswald Colson, I visited what is left of the privately-owned site in 2008 and conducted a basic documentation overview of its present conditions. I intend to develop an overview of the grave marker collection and compare the current conditions therein with archival data and historic photos in an attempt to better understand what happened at the Shallow Lake Cemetery. Consequently, I have been contacted by descendants of some buried therein whom are interested in the site. This site warrants additional research and documentation, which I hope to conduct in part soon ...
Historic image courtesy of NSULA Cammie G. Henry Research Center. 2008 images by Dustin Fuqua.

[ElizaBeth Guin]

Dusty thanks for sharing these images. This site definitely warrants attention. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

[Mike McCain]

Maybe I am a little late with this information for you but better late than never. I wonder if perhaps G. Portre-Bobinski in her booklet "Sixan" was talking about Shallow Lake when she wrote this in 1964 (perhaps before as she was useing something from an earlier publication):

"The popularity of iron work in Natchitoches is further attested by the entrance door of the Court House, the gallery in "s" of the Williams' building, the dainty balcony over "Dora's Kindergarten," and the fence of the old Gallion home. Both the Catholic and American cemeteries boast iron fences and hand forged crosses, ranging from the fleur-de-lis again to more elaborate or quainter conceptions. The Cloutierville graveyard is almost as well known as that of Natchitoches, but that of Derry, hidden from the highway, has fallen into oblivion. "Dust thou art to dust returnest" has truly happened in the Derry graveyard. But fortunately, daily, a greater interest in and an appreciation for the past is developing. Indoors and outdoors a restoration of the old, revival and imitation of what is beautiful is to be found both in the homes and commercial buildings."

That booklet is available in both Natchitoches Parish Library and Cammie Henry maybe even in "stacks" at NSU. Portre-Bobinski had put her language skills to good use translating old Natchitoches documents etc. and published several valuable little booklets about the area. Sixan is of special interest to both historians and restoration people as she detailed several people and crafts of interest in that booklet.

I have been captivated by the ornamental ironwork in various cemetaries I have visited. One perhaps you have not seen yet with some older ironwork is in the Marco community next to the site of the old Catholic Church. The cemetary use of ornamental iron would be worthy of a study and preservation methods study by itself.

[Dusty Fuqua]

Thanks for the great info. I am familiar with P-B but not with that particular reference and I'll look into it. I have visited the Marco Cemetery and also noted the beautiful ironwork. The cemeteries at Gorum and Emmanuel also have the same styles. Dr. Dayna Lee had initiated a project a few years back via LA RFP to document these and I hoped to add to the research. I'm eager to further research, document, etc. These cemeteries, however I want to be sensitive to taboos about gravesite photography. We'll have to talk more about these cemeteries soon. Thanks again.