Sanderson Monuments stands acknowledged as arguably the longest-serving business in Simcoe County, tracing its roots back to 1872 when it was established by RJ Sanderson, an English mason captivated by the charm of Orillia.
It was unveiled Monday north of the chapel on the east side of the ravine.
Monument project volunteer Aly Boltman says the historically overlooked Potter’s Field, also known as the Indigent Lot, came into use in 1858 and was a burial ground for more than 130 years for babies, orphans, seniors, Indigenous people, the working poor, the incarcerated and the homeless are buried there.
Boltman says many from Owen Sound’s historic Black community, including those who escaped on the Underground Railroad and their descendants, share the resting place, “These were citizens who faced systemic racism, often resulting in deep poverty,” says Boltman.
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The monument recognizing the more than 1,200 people buried in Potter’s Field at Greenwood Cemetery has been unveiled.
On Monday, the volunteer committee overseeing the project announced that the cover had been taken off the monument. Constructed of solid granite and cast bronze, the monument was installed in December and covered for the winter, in anticipation of the community dedication in the spring. But because of restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a gathering to mark the unveiling wasn’t possible, but they now hope to have a dedication event in the fall, it said in a news release.
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