Gilcrease Cemetery

Gilcrease Cemetery is located in a forested area west of I49 approximately four miles south of the intersections of LA Hwy 6 and I49. An old family cemetery, it is largely abandoned, the last burial being that of Louis Gilcrease 1965, a victim of a gas line explosion north of Natchitoches which claimed the lives of a number of nearby residents. In 1998 there were six tombstones evident. Family and community history, as submitted by Arthur A. Gilcrease, indicates that there are 17 other known burials and possibly an additional 30 burials, names now lost to time. Thanks are extended to Mr. Arthur A. Gilcrease for his submission and interest in preserving the data concerning this Natchitoches Parish cemetery. December, 2000

The Gilcrease Cemetery in Natchitoches Parish actually began when a Confederate soldier died during a march through the area and was buried on the spot. Thereafter, the burial grounds were referred to as the Soldier Cemetery. As time passed, local residents laid their loved ones to rest in the Soldier Cemetery. In later years, the Stephens Mill was located nearby and the cemetery was referred to as the cemetery by the Stephens Mill.

Over the years a number of the members of the Gilcrease family were buried in the cemetery and it became known as the Gilcrease Cemetery. With the further passage of time and the relocation of businesses, villages, and roads, the cemetery was little used. The most recent burial to date in the Gilcrease Cemetery was the interment of Louis Gilcrease in 1965.

According to family history and records as well as discussions with older individuals of the nearby communities, it has been determined that approximately fifty persons are buried in the Gilcrease Cemetery. Most of the grave markers were wooden and have long since decayed. Only six tomb stones remained in 1998. However, there are still indications of old grave markers. Twenty-three individuals, of those buried in the Gilcrease Cemetery, have been identified. Fourteen of the individuals known to be buried in the cemetery are relatives of the submitter of this article, Arthur A. Gilcrease.

Louis Gilcrease, the most recent burial in the Gilcrease Cemetery, was one of seventeen victims of a gas line explosion which occurred in the early morning hours of March 4, 1965 in a suburban area of Natchitoches. Those victims included Mrs. Ola Dean Barbo and her three small children , Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Rond and two young sons, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Van Meter and their three children, Mrs. Ruth Finch Antley, and Mrs. William Ammons and young son. All, excepting Mr. Gilcrease, were buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Natchitoches, LA.

Because of re-forestation projects and the construction of new highways, the Gilcrease Cemetery is virtually inaccessible at this time. Specifically, the cemetery is located 3.8 miles south of the intersection of Interstate 49 and La Hwy 6, one-quarter mile west, on the high ground just north of Bayou Serpent. Being privately owned, the land is fenced and visitors should seek the owner's permission before attempting to visit the site.

CAMPBELL, Elmira Graves Age 64 - Died December 8, 1910 She lived and died a Christian.

GILCREASE, Bryant no dates

GILCREASE, Delitha Born 1894 - Died 1922 Gone but not forgotten.

GILCREASE, Louis March 28, 1920 - March 4, 1965, age 4e4 years 11 Mo., Funeral Home Marker

GILCREASE, Mr. Stince [born 1869] - Died March 7, 1936, Age 67, He is not dead, but sleeping.[Son of Calvin and Sarah Gilcrease]

SMITH, William M. Born April 12, 1878 - Died January 18, 1917, God be with you till we meet again.

UNKNOWN Marker

UNKNOWN Marker

The following is a listing of known but unmarked burials in the Gilcrease Cemetery, as submitted by Arthur A. Gilcrease, December 2000

BROWN, Child of Allen and Bertie Milstead Brown

GILCREASE, Calvin

GILCREASE, Josie

GILCREASE, John

GILCREASE, Henry

GILCREASE, James Sanders Jim

GILCREASE, Hattie

GILCREASE, Sarah Banes

ROND, Matilda Gilcrease

ROND, Daughter of Matilda Gilcrease Rond

KEEN, Abe Uncle of Jim and Hattie Gilcrease

CAMPBELL, Ed

SMITH, Betty

MILSTEAD, Jim

ROND, Children of Antoine and Ella Rond, a son and two daughters

Visitors to the cemetery