Xenia cemetery receives Ohio Historic Marker

XENIA, Ohio ( WDTN ) — A historical marker will recognize a “largely forgotten gem” in a Xenia neighborhood.

An Ohio Historic Marker has been placed at the Gowdy Associate Reformed Cemetery, located on East Third Street in Xenia.

The cemetery has been around since the early 1800’s and served as the burial ground for many of Xenia’s original residents, including veterans of the War of 1812. It was abandoned around 1847, when Woodland Cemetery in Dayton was established.

Since then, the cemetery has been passed down and maintained by various churches. Although some tombstones are covered, missing or broken, many remain.

Gowdy Associate Reformed Cemetery is named after James Gowdy, the final known burial in 1853. Gowdy and two of his brothers, Robert and Samuel, were War of 1812 Veterans. James was also the city’s first merchant, selling goods from 1806 to 1850. During his funeral, all stores in Xenia closed out of respect.

When the city of Xenia recently acquired the property, they applied for a historical marker grant with help from the Greene County Historical Society.

The grant was received from the Ohio Historical Markers Program and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation . A dedication ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on May 30 to commemorate the new marker.

Gowdy Associate Reformed Cemetery is located in the 500 block of East Third Street.

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