Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard Explained

Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard
Established:September 4, 1937
Location:4945 Coondog Cemetery Road, Colbert County, Alabama, US[1]
Coordinates:34.63°N -87.9667°W
Type:Private
Website:http://www.coondogcemetery.com

The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard is a specialized and restricted pet cemetery and memorial in rural Colbert County, Alabama, US. It is reserved specifically for the burials of coon dogs. The cemetery was established by Key Underwood on September 4, 1937. Underwood buried his own dog there, choosing the spot, previously a popular hunting camp where "Troop" did 15 years of service., more than 300 dogs were buried in the graveyard.

Maintained by the Tennessee Valley Coon Hunters Association, it receives nearly 7,000 visitors annually.[2]

Criteria for burial are fairly well established, albeit being subject to interpretation and application. Only bona fide "coonhounds" are to be buried there. The exact measure of that standard depends on breeding, experience and performance; and seemingly depends on who and when the tale is told and the determination made.

History

Key Underwood established the cemetery on September 4, 1937, interring his coon dog, Troop, in an old hunting camp[3] located in rural Colbert County, Alabama, US. The closest town is Cherokee, Alabama.[4] [5] At the time, Underwood only intended to bury Troop in a place they had coon hunted together for 15 years. The memorial was a serendipitous afterthought.[6] Underwood buried Troop there, three feet deep, with an engraved old chimney stone for a marker. Later, other bereaved hunters followed his example when their dogs died, and the cemetery flourished as a result.[7] The entrance is marked by a statue of two coonhounds treeing a raccoon.[8] During a 1984 interview with columnist Rheta Grimsley Johnson, Underwood said that burying Troop was doing "something special for a special coon dog". Allowance of mere pets is contraindicated. "It would reveal that you must not know much about coon hunters and their dogs, if you think we would contaminate this burial place with poodles and lap dogs."[9] [10]

Requirements for burial

Dogs must meet three requirements to qualify for burial at the cemetery:

Along with recognized breeds i.e., "Redbone, black and tan, English bluetick, English redtick, Plott, Treeing Walker, and various combinations of the above" "many non-AKC breeds of Southern hunting hounds (such as our native frontier hounds, the Black Mouth Curs, Plott Hounds, Catahoulas, and Mountain Curs)" may be admitted, but then must be proven to meet all three of the criteria, and have no fewer than three witnesses who will attest that they have seen the dog track and tree coons single-handedly.[14]

Features

Headstones and markers in the cemetery range from homemade metal and wooden monuments to more intricate marble engraved stones, akin to human gravesites. They range from humble and home made to relatively well-crafted and ostentatious. Each reveals a touching story and makes a tribute.[15] Some have epitaphs, such as "He wasn't the best, but he was the best I ever owned". The interred dogs include many notable hunting dogs such as Hunter's Famous Amos, Ralston Purina's 1984 Dog of the Year. It is the only cemetery in the world specifically dedicated to coonhounds.[16] By 2014, over 300 dogs were buried in the cemetery.

There are two monumental sculptures.[17]

The entrance is festooned with warning signs, some pocked with many bullet holes, which advise visitors of surveillance by the neighborhood; another forbids lighting fires, and stresses only coon dogs buried with permission are allowed.[18]

Caretaker and contact person for the cemetery was Janice M. Williams, aka the "Coon Dog Lady", who is the cemetery board's president. She was the first reported person to actually "count the graves scattered across that pastoral acre: 307 as of January 2014. She keeps it presentable (without care the forest quickly encroaches)."[19]

As the 75th anniversary of the cemetery approached, coins and replica service medals started to be left on the graves.[20]

The cemetery evolved, as has the sport of coon hunting. "These days hunting's about competition... Used to, people hunted [raccoons] for their hides or in the Depression, they ate them, but we don't shoot [raccoons] anymore." Dogs are supposed to be independent, capable of hunting on their own, and "honest, meaning it won't run deer or rabbits; and it'll stay put, meaning it'll stay no matter rain, a storm, or another dog aggravating it," says Lee Hatton, grounds caretaker. A United Kennel Club title requires beating other champions and "It takes 100 hard-earned points to become a champion."[21]

The facility is officially recognized as an historic cemetery by the State of Alabama.[22]

Labor Day

Every Labor Day the Tennessee Valley Coon Hunter's Association sponsors a gathering at the cemetery in a tribute to the inauguration of the cemetery on Labor Day in 1937. The celebration includes bluegrass music, dancing, barbecue and a liar's contest.[23] Admission is free to the public, but donations are accepted and help defray upkeep expenses. In 2014 eight Redbone Coonhound puppies were sold at the gathering, with proceeds going to upkeep. The gathering is often attended by local politicians.[24] [25] [26]

Popular culture

The cemetery was featured in the movie Sweet Home Alabama, but the producers used artistic license to relocate it to south Alabama.[27] The film's protagonists go looking for the graves of dogs named "Bear" and "Bryant", an homage to Bear Bryant the football coach.[28]

See also

References

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Young . Jennifer . December 26, 2020 . The World's Only Coon Dog Cemetery Is Hiding In Small Town Alabama And It's As Weirdly Wonderful As You'd Expect . Only in Your State . April 11, 2022 . April 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210413081550/https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/coon-dog-cemetery-al/ . live .
  2. News: September 4, 2019 . This Day in History: September 4, 1937 . Alabama Living Magazine . April 12, 2022 . October 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201031152542/https://alabamaliving.coop/articles/this-day-in-history-september-4-1937/ . live .
  3. News: 12 June 1969 . Coon Dog Cemetery . . 5 March 2011 . June 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615032541/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KExkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cHQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2577%2C2374562&dq=coon-dog-cemetery&hl=en . live .
  4. News: Elder . Tracy . 16 February 2011 . Tim Horton and Colbert County Tourism unveil new marketing project . . dead . 5 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110223100932/http://colbertcounty.waff.com/news/events/tim-horton-and-colbert-county-tourism-unveil-new-marketing-project/49283 . 23 February 2011.
  5. News: McNulty . Timothy . 1 October 1978 . It's the doggonest cemetery around . Chicago Tribune.
  6. Web site: 2007 . Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard . coondawgs.com . 6 July 2009 . March 22, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090322124832/http://www.coondogcemetery.com/ . live .
  7. News: Kazek . Kelly . August 19, 2014 . Legendary Coon Dog Cemetery to once again host Labor Day celebration with live music, crafts, barbecue . . . August 20, 2014 . August 21, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140821102336/http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2014/08/legendary_coon_dog_cemetery_to.html . live .
  8. Book: Finch . Jackie Sheckler . Alabama Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places . Martin . Gay N. . September 2, 2014 . Globe Pequot, GPP Travel . 9781493014095 . Jackie Sheckler Finch . Guilford, Connecticut . 62 . English . Ebook.
  9. Web site: Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard Tuscumbia, Alabama (AL), US . October 2010 . virtualglobetrotting . April 10, 2022 . June 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615032542/https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/key-underwood-coon-dog-memorial-graveyard/view/google/ . live .
  10. News: May 2, 2021 . Beloved hunting dogs buried in northern Alabama . . April 11, 2022 . June 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615032543/https://mountaineagle.com/stories/beloved-hunting-dogs-buried-in-northern-alabama,34426 . live .
  11. Web site: June 30, 2017 . Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Cemetery: Alabama Legacy Moment . . Video . . In order for a dog to be buried at the site, the Coon Hunters' Association must verify that the dog is an authentic coon dog. Although a pedigree or a specific breed is not required for qualification, the dog must have been a hunting dog and must have hunted raccoons exclusively. . April 9, 2022 . April 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220409115149/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja-78HPI2rs . live .
  12. Web site: Coon Dog Cemetery Photo Gallery . Underwood Dog Memorial Graveyard . April 9, 2022 . February 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210211091438/https://www.coondogcemetery.com/gallery.html . live .
  13. Book: Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard . July 6, 2009 . March 22, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090322124832/http://www.coondogcemetery.com/ . live .
  14. News: Evans . Erik . June 17, 2019 . FILED UNDER: MISCELLANY 68 Things to Love About Alabama: The coon dog cemetery . A place like no other for some of our best friends. . April 12, 2022 . December 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191222101947/https://www.rollbamaroll.com/2019/6/17/18680042/68-things-to-love-about-alabama-the-coon-dog-cemetery . live .
  15. Web site: The Cemetery Detective . Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery – Cherokee Alabama . April 25, 2011 . The Coon Dog Cemetery tombstones and epitaphs will make any animal lover shed a tear. . April 14, 2022 . May 3, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170503210931/https://www.thecemeterydetective.com/coon-dog-cemetery/ . live .
  16. Web site: Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard . July 21, 2018 . . April 15, 2022 . June 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615032545/https://msnha.una.edu/sites-attractions/coon-dog-memorial-graveyard/ . live .
  17. Web site: Coon Dog Cemetery Historic Site or District . Tennessee River Valley . April 10, 2022 . April 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210415083442/https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/entries/coon-dog-cemetery/034c6d49-6a70-4abb-84f6-f00388f6c2dc . live .
  18. Web site: Hoppes . Ian . July 7, 2015 . Entertainment: I went to the Coon Dog Cemetery last weekend and this is what I found . al.com/entertainment . April 13, 2022 . April 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413153621/https://www.al.com/entertainment/2015/07/i_went_to_the_coon_dog_cemeter.html . live .
  19. Book: Wallace, Daniel . GOOD DOGS: Alabama's Coon Dog Cemetery . April 2014 . . Deep in the Alabama woods at the base of the Cumberland Mountains lies a cemetery like no other. . April 10, 2022 . November 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211126150251/https://gardenandgun.com/feature/alabamas-coon-dog-cemetery/ . live .
  20. News: Staff . September 3, 2013 . The mystery of the Coondog Cemetery headstone coins . . TUSCUMBIA- The Mystery of The Coondog Cemetery coins on the headstones started when coins started appearing on top of the headstones at the Coondog Cemetery southwest of Tuscumbia about six months before the 75th anniversary in 2012. In addition to various coins, replicas of service medals were also left. . April 11, 2022 . June 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615032546/http://quadcitiesdaily.com/?p=117477 . live .
  21. Book: Helderman, Jennie . For 79 Years, Americans Have Been Burying Their Hunting Hounds In Alabama . August 29, 2016 . . This Labor Day, thousand will head to the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard to pay their respects. . April 12, 2022 . April 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210418032949/https://www.countryliving.com/life/kids-pets/a39668/coon-dog-cemetery-alabama/ . live .
  22. Web site: The Alabama Historic Cemetery Register as of April 4, 2022 . Alabama Historical Commission . April 11, 2022 . May 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220512205300/https://ahc.alabama.gov/cemeteryprogramPDFs/Alabama_Historic_Cemetery_Register4.8.pdf . live .
  23. Web site: The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard – Tuscumbia, Alabama . The American Festivals Project . April 10, 2022 . September 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180905215011/http://www.americanfestivalsproject.net/coon-dog-graveyard-day . live .
  24. News: Shipley . Jonathan . November 20, 2021 . Here Lies Troop . 90 . Dog News . Only Coonhounds Need Apply at Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Cemetery in Tuscumbia Alabama . April 10, 2022 . February 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228150114/https://dognews.com/only-coonhounds-need-apply-at-Key-Underwood-Coon-Dog-Memorial-Cemetery-in-Tuscumbia-Alabama . live .
  25. News: Coon Dog Cemetery . Exploring Alabama . April 10, 2022 . May 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509232243/http://www.exploringalabama.org/places/coon-dog-cemetery/ . live .
  26. Web site: Clemons . Alan . August 31, 2016 . Alabama's Famous Coon Dog Cemetery Celebration Set for Labor Day . Clembone Outdoors . April 12, 2022 . June 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615032546/https://clembone.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/alabamas-famous-coon-dog-cemetery-celebration-set-for-labor-day/ . live .
  27. News: Kristoff Alabama News Center . Anne . August 30, 2017 . Alabama's Coon Dog Cemetery celebrates 80 years this Labor Day weekend . April 14, 2022 . November 23, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201123193816/https://alabamanewscenter.com/2017/08/30/alabamas-coon-dog-cemetery-celebrates-80-years-labor-day-weekend/ . live .
  28. Web site: Credendino . Chris . August 3, 2014 . Sweet Home Alabama: Then and Now – 12 Years Later . April 14, 2022 . April 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210420010444/https://www.chriscredendino.com/2014/08/03/sweet-home-alabama-then-and-now-12-years-later/19/ . live .

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