Why is there a graveyard in the middle of the University of Wyoming campus? It’s a little somber for the environment of a college setting, but it’s there for good reason.
Before the university was built, there were many existing graves on the land. Out of respect for the dead, these were relocated. Then, as the university grew, they had to be relocated again to Greenhill Cemetery in 1881, which is where they remain now. However, were all of the bodies moved? Were all of the graves found?
“Old Jim,” a stone man face down in his coffin of 800 pounds, was found during the first move of the cemetery. This man was believed to be Wyoming local Eias Kerr, who acquired the moniker “Old Jim” years after he had already passed.
During the second move to the cemetery’s final destination, however, there was no stone body found and no records to provide proof for the tale of “Old Jim.” So is “Old Jim” still haunting the UW campus with the rest of the individuals who were never moved to Greenhill’s last location?
As Knight Hall was being constructed, five bodies were found after the initial grave move was completed. Sixteen years after Knight Hall was built, another body was found under a tree that was being removed to make way for the College of Nursing.
However, for the individuals who maintain the cemetery, there are no suspicious graves or tombstones on the land. For them “Old Jim” is simply a folk tale to scare children and freshman first living in the dorm halls at the University of Wyoming.
“I have always had a peaceful feeling working here and do not feel creepy or lonely during the day to day tasks,” said Loni Wilson, Greenhill Cemetery employee since 2010. “However, I don’t think working in a cemetery is something that the general public has an easy time doing. You must continually focus on your own personal wellbeing and maintain a level head as to not allow the emotions of performing funeral services to lake lead. Overall, it’s a very nice place to work if you can withstand the Wyoming weather and don’t mind some challenging work.”
The University surrounds the cemetery only because the land wasn’t intended for use by UW. Originally the cemetery reached all the way to 22nd Street; UW traded land with the city of Laramie, who owns and maintains the cemetery, in order to build around the center of campus more than its periphery.
Greenhill Cemetery will not be moved any time soon; there are still 25 years worth of space remaining. Furthermore, due to cremation becoming a popular burial process in this day and age, the cemetery’s space life may extend an additional 15 years. This is due to the fact that one full size burial is the equivalent to three cremations.
Overall, there are no true horror stories to share about the graves in the middle of UW campus. It is simply a place for loved ones to rest, and it just happens to be in the middle of campus.
