New lamps shed more light on cemetery in Union

Memorial Day visitors to Union’s historic Victorian cemetery are finding four new decorative street lamps have recently been installed on the main road.

“The fixtures are not only in keeping with our Victorian décor but should light up the front part of the cemetery and all three roads leading in, discouraging people from trespassing during those hours the cemetery is closed,” said Union Cemetery Board Chairwoman Donna Patterson.

The cemetery is closed from dusk to dawn.

It is the oldest monument cemetery in Northeast Oregon, dating to 1862.

The cemetery was vandalized on Sept. 25, when 36 tombstones --- including some of the oldest and most historic --- were toppled or broken, requiring $1,500 in repairs.

The cemetery board had the new lights installed on the suggestion of Union County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Pallis and the Union Community Patrol after researching the issue, according to Patterson.

The lighning and increased neighborhood vigilance is expected to prevent future vandalism at the cemetery.

Patterson said the cemetery has received partial financial restitution from the two minors charged in the September incident.

She said Memorial Day visitors are also finding 10 new Colorado blue spruce trees have recently been added to the newer part of the cemetery.