Wylie Cemetery Plaque

Standing here, right in front of the Wylie Cemetery Plaque, a piece of history whispers through the ages. You might not have noticed, but this simple, yet remarkable, plaque holds within its metallic surface a story of the very beginnings of a town. In 1889, the Wylie Cemetery Company purchased several acres of land from the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad. This is where their story begins, a story of perseverance, of creating a legacy that transcends time. The cemetery, unlike many, was not built for the wealthy and powerful. It was created by and for the people. This is reflected in the fact that the first burial was of the daughter of an impoverished family, long before the cemetery was finished. You see, the founders of this town wanted to provide a dignified resting place for all, regardless of status. And that was quite something, considering that the first cemetery in this then developing town was built before the town itself was even fully established. You might wonder about the first burial here? Who was this child, the first to be laid to rest by the founding fathers? While they were ambitious, those early pioneers had to focus on surviving rather than chronicling every detail. The story of the first little soul, the first to be buried here, is lost to time, but its significance is clear. A testament to the value that these early pioneers placed on life and death equally, a testament to the value of humanity. Today, as you gaze at this simple aluminum plaque, you stand in the shadow of this town’s history, and remember the story of its beginnings. An enduring symbol of its roots, and a testament to the unwavering essence of this community.