Cemeteries of New Mexico
January 7th, 2010 by John Wolfe
After performing many searches online, I found there aren’t a lot of images available of New Mexico cemeteries and even less is available in the form of video footage. And, after filming the companion video for my post, The Ghost of Tome Cemetery, I decided to start seeking out and recording more of these locations throughout central New Mexico. In this first installment, I’ve featured the Peralta – Valencia Cemetery, Perea Cemetery and Sabinal Cemetery, with a special emphasis on their older sections.
Though the majority of these graveyards are quite barren and desolate, they have a unique beauty, nonetheless. I just hope this footage does them justice in its attempt to respectfully portray that beauty.
January 7th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I have to admit, as a cemetery buff, these western ones are just amazing to me. That is how a great deal of ones in AZ look. Nothing holds up the sun and the heat here and many of the materials were substandard and cobbled together by family members. There weren’t a lot of stone cutters handy to carve nice headstones. The ones that are just wooden crosses rotting and riddled with termites are the saddest ones. I just have to wonder what it was like to live back then without air-conditioning and having to find water. There’s nothing more vulnerable than living in the desert (well, except maybe arctic tundra). Thanks for the fantastic footage. You should see if the cemetery association needs to have cemeteries mapped. It’s fun to go and log all the headstones for their records and take photos.
January 7th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
My dearest friend, you have done New Mexico and those cemeteries GREAT justice with this video!!! The music was nicely chosen as well. It really did set the mood which was a mix of sadness, mystery, wonder and deep appreciation. Another feature I liked about the video is how you would pan out once in a while to the landscape of beautiful New Mexico. Again I found myself saying outloud, “No wonder you and your mom were amazed with the photos you saw of the cemetery I frequent.” What a drastic difference, truly, like day and night.
I wanted to thank you for your very mature, loving and respectful approach to your video making while IN the cemeteries. For me personally, even prior to arriving at the front gates to the cemetery I find myself becoming more calm and a feeling of deep retrospection overcomes me. That same feeling of dignity and honor was felt powerfully in this video John. Truly this is beautiful work.
Ooooooo, I really liked the ending John! Your so gifted at photography anyhow that any picture you take is an excellent one. It was a slightly different look to the video section. Still photos really command attention, it’s a totally different vibe. I’m glad you added the photos at the end too, nice way to finish this wonderful journey you created. THANK YOU John for sharing with us. Excellent work dear friend.
January 8th, 2010 at 4:57 am
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January 8th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
autumnforest,
I think that’s part of the reason why I’m so fascinated by the older sections of the cemeteries, because of the things you mentioned. I can’t help but wonder what each person’s life was like 90 (or more) years ago. I know some people have been working on what they call the “Tombstone Project,” (or something like that) for the NM cemeteries. This is where they catalog all of the graves. My mom and I have been talking about helping out with that, especially since we’re already spending time there anyway. Interestingly enough, Sabinal does have a map on the north side of the church, which shows names (many are unknown) and plots.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Goldie,
It’s good to know the video does convey respect and appreciation, as that’s always my intention when I visit these locations, whether I’m using a camera or not. We always bring extra flowers to leave behind; make certain to walk around and not on the plots, and clear away debris, trash, etc. Since we are merely visitors to these graveyards, I believe it’s important to not take that privilege for granted, so we always try and leave them in a slightly “better” condition than how we found them.
It’s also my hope to show some of New Mexico along the way as I film this footage, so I’m glad you’re enjoying that aspect as well.
Thanks for your kind words about the footage and photos! Of course, the music is really the glue that brings it all together.
March 29th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Thank you John and Goldie for the video of New Mexico’s old cemeteries. My friend Shannon and I love to shoot photos in old cemeteries. I agree with you about the peace you feel in these places. I have always felt a deep respect and wonder in places like this. Have you ever had the chance to vist the Goldfield cemetery in Nevada? We shot there recently and caught many orbs in our photos.
March 29th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Thank you so much, Mindy, for watching and commenting. I’ve never been to Goldfield, but I did enjoy watching the very first Ghost Adventures documentary when they visited the Goldfield Hotel. Did you and Shannon happen to do any EVP sessions while in the Goldfield Cemetery?