Family cemetery moved to make way for ThyssenKrupp
Because of its location on the future site of the ThyssenKrupp steel plant, the Webb Family Cemetery in Calvert is in the final stage of being moved to another location. Overseeing the project is local businessman and family member Andy Webb, who took on the task of contacting other family members seeking their approval for the move. Once approval of all the loved ones was given, graves were excavated and the coffins, most of which were virtually non-existent due to their age, were moved to a new private location. Many of the graves date from the late 1800s to the early part of the 20th century. The site chosen for the cemetery's new location is on a rise to prevent flooding during heavy rain. Some fill dirt was brought in, along with new top soil so grass can be planted. The University of Alabama's archaeological team was hired to do the actual excavation. A ground-penetrating radar scan was used by the archaeologist to locate anomalies, which indicated where all the graves, known and unknown, were located. The type of soil in the area, which is highly acidic, caused there to be very few actual remains. Most had deteriorated completely. The were located, moved and placed with the appropriate tombstones at the new location. State law requires that the plot at the new location be arranged in the same exact manner as the original. Another requirement is for a marker to be placed at the new location stating that the cemetery was moved and where it was originally located. (SA photo by Evan Carden)
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