Our World – Tulsa’s Perryman Cemetery

Perryman Cemetery at 32nd and Utica is Tulsa’s oldest private cemetery. It was laid out in 1848 by the Perryman family. The Perrymans were mixed blood Creek Indians and held positions of leadership in the Creek Tribe and early day Oklahoma. The Chronicles of Oklahoma has an interesting article from 1937 about the History of the family.

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Benjamin Perryman led his family to Oklahoma from Georgia in 1828. He was a chief of the Creek tribe and   the noted early western painter George Catlin painted his portrait.

(from Chronicles of Oklahoma)

The cemetery was a family plot and there are lots of Perryman names on the gravestones. The last burial in the cemetery was in 1941. The Tulsa Historical Society has owned and maintained the cemetery since 1971.

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Only about 50 people are buried on the property. Apparently the graveyard was originally bigger than the present fenced area. The speculation is that there are bodies buried in the yards of some of the nearby residences.

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Very interesting to me is the grave house over one of the graves. It is only about a two feet tall. I’ve seen many similar structures in eastern Oklahoma at very old cemeteries. I wish I could tell you that I have definitively determined why some graves have them and what the significance is, but I can’t. I have not found what I consider to be a good source of information. I have read a lot of what I consider to be speculation. Some of what I read says that the houses were merely to cover the grave and keep the rain off. Other sources though indicate that the houses are houses for the grave occupant’s spirit.

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In the meantime the cemetery is a nice place to go and ponder the meaning of it all. More information can be found in an interesting post from the Forgotten Tulsa blog.

Our World

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17 thoughts on “Our World – Tulsa’s Perryman Cemetery

  1. Birdman

    Very interesting post today. Love the carvings on stones. I worked in one of New England’s oldest. Some wonderful stories attached too.

  2. Territory Mom

    Beautiful! We have alot of houses over graves in my area, this is Creek Nation. I’ve heard the houses occupy the spirit. If you look inside there should be little trickets to keep the spirit company.

  3. Ms. Becky

    I’m not familiar with grave houses and you’ve piqued my interest. I like the idea of the living erecting a house for the grave occupant’s spirit. What a thoughtful thing to do, but then again, I also like to imagine that the spirit would roam around a bit too. You know, like paying their earthly enemies a visit now and then and putting a fright into them, having a bit of fun. Old cemeteries are excellent spots to ponder the meaning of it all. thanks for sharing Yogi. happy Memorial Day to you and yours.

  4. Sylvia K

    What a fascinating and interesting post for the day!! And, yes, you’ve tickled my curiosity as well! Going to have to do some research/reading! I love your photos! Thanks for a great start to my week!

    Sylvia

  5. Lois Evensen

    Fascinating post. I don’t believe I have seen the little houses over the graves before and we visit historical cemeteries rather often. Perhaps that is something more often seen in the West.

  6. Gary

    What a great post!! I hope you find some answers, and let us know. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

  7. EG CameraGirl

    I have never seen or heard of grave houses. How interesting that some people believe they are there to house the spirit of the bodies beneath them.

    It’s heartening to know that so many of the tombstones are still in good condition.

  8. Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti

    Hi Yogi!

    I volunteer at an historical cemetery here in Brooklyn,NY, so I always enjoy learning about interesting and historical cemeteries in other parts of the country. I’ve never seen the small house built over a grave like this. In the cemetery I volunteer in there are many mausoleums.

  9. Black Jack's Carol

    The dappled skies and winding tree branches added a peaceful aspect to your beautiful photographs that made me feel the spirits of those buried here are content. I too am now curious about the grave houses.

  10. Genie

    Grave Houses…what an interesting bit of history. It seems like there would be some in New Orleans, but I do not remember any. I love the concept. Am so glad the city continues to care for the old cemetery. It is a beautiful spot. genie

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