Sunday, March 28, 2010

Zinc Markers

Zinc markers (also reffered to as white broze) are some of my favorite types of markers. They are very easy to spot because of their blue-gray color.


(Mary Fullerton in Pineville Cemetery located in Pineville, MO)

They almost always look new because they are near impervious to weathering. Sadly, these markers were only produced for a short period of time. From the late 1870s to the mid-1930s. These markers were produced by The Monumental Brozne Company of Bridgeport Connecticut and its subsidiaries.

In my many explorations in the cemeteries I generally will find maybe one Zinc marker in every five or so cemeteries. So they weren't widely used. I have also read that many cemeteries would not allow the Zinc markers to be used in their cemetery for varius reasons, mainly because they didn't like the looks of them, which is sad because the information on them is still very easy to read even after 100-plus years.

Here are a few of the Zinc markers I have found.


(George and Mary Keener buried at Washburn Prairie located in Washburn, MO)



(Ella Kindley buried in Buttram Chapel located in Pea Ridge, MO)


(Florence Skelton buried in Beaver Cemertey located in Beaver, AR)


With the Zinc markers the marker shape would be purchased and then the company would customize the panels that were then screwed into place. Then if you wanted to add another member to the marker you could purchase the new plate and replace one of the decorative ones. Here are a few examples of the decorative plates.

You can clearly see the screw mounts on these two plates. Unfortunately it is now impossible to replace these pieces because they are no longer made.

If you have photos of any Zinc markers I would love to see them. Feel free to email me.

Next time your in a cemetery keep your eyse peeled for these beauties.

Happy Gravin'!

1 comment:

  1. Hi Tammi,
    Nice to see your blog. I have never seen these zinc markers before - fascinating!
    Laurie

    ReplyDelete