Annual spring cleanup set at historic Romulus cemetery

    City of Romulus officials have scheduled the annual spring cleaning of Romulus Memorial Cemetery. All items such as wreaths and grave blankets must be removed by this Sunday, March 16, to facilitate the annual cleaning.

    The cemetery, once called Blair Cemetery, is located on Shook Road and the earliest recorded burial there was in 1833. The name change took place in 1901, according to city officials. Numerous burials, including 25 Civil War veterans, have been recorded at the historic site. Also buried in the Romulus Memorial Cemetery is Charles Cawetzka, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine-American War. In 1989, the Romulus Historical Society applied for and was granted approval to designate the Romulus Memorial Cemetery as a historical landmark.
    Regulations regarding the cemetery include the removal of all floral arrangements, which include wreaths and grave blankets must be removed by March 16, or the items will be discarded.
    Rules also require that any flowers, fresh and/or artificial, placed on gravesites must be in an unbreakable vase. Prohibited items placed or left upon gravesites will be removed and discarded.
Prohibited items include holiday decorations, yard ornaments, wind chimes, lanterns, solar lights and shepherd hooks.
    In addition, picket fences, decorative rocks, trees, shrubbery and vegetable planting are prohibited.
As always, the City of Romulus is not responsible for securing items left in the cemetery including those that in compliance with the regulations, officials stressed. Any items placed in the cemetery are left at one’s own risk.
    For questions or more information regarding the annual clean up of the historic site, contact Romulus City Clerk Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, (734) 942-7540 or clerk@romulusgov.com.