President's Message
Fall 2009
by Hines Vaughan
Since our last message, much progress has been made by the OCPS.
Jon Emerson completed his design of the cemetery. Due to space constraints, it was decided to build a one-way road in the shape of a "U" through the cemetery. The other streets will be made into 4' wide pedestrian paths. Trees that threaten the walls will be removed, and the walls will be secured from further collapse. Walls that have fallen will be replaced with matching materials.
OCPS is in the process of identifying family members of those buried in Oakland. A new organization, "Families of Oakland Cemetery" has been formed. It is chaired by Anna Maria Sparke Keele. This organization has raised the necessary funds to hire a Restoration Conservator to assist the board in identifying and classifying the grave stones and monuments in the cemetery. That information will allow us to ensure that these treasures are restored to their original beauty and content. The Conservator’s report will be made at a public gathering.
The City of Shreveport has just completed a revamp of Sprague Street next to the cemetery. If you have not seen the good work done there, I suggest you make a trip down there to see it. You will be pleasantly surprised. In addition to the sidewalk work, the City has cleared off the lots across Sprague Street from the cemetery and created a historical park. We are now negotiating with the City to allow us to renovate and utilize the last remaining structure of the Sprague Street Houses, as a visitor center for the cemetery. It will be located in the park across from the Sprague Street entrance to the cemetery.
After the Conservator's study is complete, we will be in a position to begin a capital funds drive and then start the actual construction work of the cemetery and the preservation/restoration of the tombstone and monuments.
2010 should be an exciting year for OCPS and its many supporters as they continue to bring "North Louisiana's Most Historic Landmark" back to its former glory.
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