Forgotten Cemetery Still A Priority For Historian - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

Forgotten Cemetery Still A Priority For Historian

Between two pristine cemeteries is a forgotten resting place, called Abraham's Cemetery. It is located near 91st and Harvard.

Channel 8's Kim Jackson went in search of what has become ruins for some Tulsa pioneers.

"It's called Abraham's Cemetery back then, but it's not documented," said Kavin Ross, a Tulsa historian.

It was hard to find this cemetery, known to be the resting place of African American Tulsa pioneers.

But soon enough we saw the evidence through thorny weeds and brush.

"I see disturbance already," said Ross.

 He has been speaking out about this cemetery since it was discovered nearly 10-years ago.

"My grandparents were Vanns and when I saw this one of the few out there,  that has a name on it," that headstone got his attention, but so did all of the damage to the others.

There are broken crypts, damaged headstones--missing name plates.

"Everytime we come out here we always find a new grave. Our last count, at least about 8-dozen people out here. That's we know of by markers," he said.

He believes there was damage done, when a neighboring development of homes and businesses went in.

But now he wants a study done to find out more about Abraham's Cemetery.

"I believe there needs to be a concerted effort to maintain this area to make sure that it is a neat and just as pristine as other cemeteries in this area," said Ross.

Families may not know they have loved ones here. But no matter what color or date of death, Kavin Ross believes Tulsa should care.

Kavin says the next step would be to identify all the graves and find out who is here.