HOCKING TOWNSHIP – In 1817, Nathaniel Wilson III laid out a section of land on the east side of his property in Hocking Township for the future plot of his family’s private burial ground. The original patent for the plot was planned to be issued on November 20, 1812 to his father, Nathaniel Wilson II; however, he died in 1814 and never began the project. He started construction on the 7 to 8 foot, dry-laid sandstone in 1838 to ensure their final resting place remained preserved. He planned out the dodecagon shape and positioned the entrance to face true north – aligned with Polaris. The sandstone was constructed by hand to ensure it intricately fit together without the use of mortar and was crafted from Blackhand sandstone quarried from Allen’s Knob located nearby. Wilson planted a Cedar of Lebanon tree in the center of the family plot which he received from Mount Lebanon in the Holy Land. Wilson followed Biblical tradition in the construction, “without mortar or sound of voices,” as he integrated, what he believed, to follow the construction pattern of Solomon’s Temple. This structure remains unique and the only one of its kind throughout the world. This  prime example of dry-stone masonry was deeded to President James Monroe on April 22, 1817, as the “President’s Acre.” However, no evidence survives that the President ever accepted the deed. It was noted that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the only one to acknowledge the notification. Nathaniel died on May 12, 1839, leaving the project incomplete and his youngest son, Gustin, assumed the responsibility to continue the construction. Nathaniel’s father, Nathaniel Wilson II, was first buried in the old Lancaster Graveyard (now the Firehouse Park) and was reinterred here at the family plot. Per family records the project cost the Wilson family $1,250, which would be approximately $40,877 in 2023’s dollars. In 1960, the ownership of the  cemetery transferred to Fairfield County, where in 1966 the Fairfield Heritage Association inherited the historic cemetery, restored it, and opened the gates for viewing by 1978. The Hocking Township Trustees later assumed ownership until 1998 when the Fairfield County Parks took possession. Due to multiple vandalisms over the years, the gate now remains locked to preserve this historic treasure from one of the early pioneer families to the county. On Friday, February 13, 1987, vandalism was discovered at Stonewall Cemetery where it was believed to have occurred sometime between then and the previous November 1986. Broken glass, spray painted graffiti, and shattered tombstones all remained in the ruins realized that morning by cemetery caretaker, Bill Clover. He worked over the years and repaired the site as best he could. During the inspection it was discovered that names “Ray” and “Sean” were spray painted with the year “88 B.C.” The cemetery was again vandalized at the end of August 1989 when Edwin Shuping, director of the historic cemetery, discovered the severe wreckage. The Ohio Exploration Society visited the cemetery on March 16, 2003, and unearthed the legend that if one climbs and walks the cemetery wall thirteen times, the spirits within will suck them into the circle. They follow with the assumption one just gets dizzy enough to fall in. We do not recommend this be attempted. Please remain respectful when visiting the cemetery to honor those who paved the way before us.