Pioneer cemeteries in Palatine Township being restored

Two of Palatine Township's five historic pioneer cemeteries recently were the beneficiary of some much-needed tender, loving care and repair work performed by Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration, a recognized leader in restoring pioneer cemeteries.

Stonehugger is helping to restore these cemeteries to their proper dignity.

Our township pioneer cemeteries are where many of the area's founders are buried. Cady Cemetery in Inverness and Hillside Cemetery in Palatine are where this important work was recently done.

The Stonehugger crew, led by owner Helen Wildermuth, spent a week in Palatine Township working on the two cemeteries. Each cemetery will take several years to completely restore.

Thanks in large part to the generous donations from the Palatine Historical Society and the Clarinda Cady Questers, many headstones were able to be restored at these two cemeteries.

What is fascinating is that Stonehugger uses no chemicals, just water and good, old-fashioned elbow grease when cleaning the stones. Broken stones are repaired using the same type of mortar originally used some 100 years ago.

The transformation is unbelievable. In fact, one member of the Palatine Township Cemetery Committee called the work done by Stonehugger a miracle.

If you would like more information on the township's historic pioneer cemeteries, call (847) 358-6700.