As
one enters Cold Springs the visitor spots the cemetery bell tower, a gift of the Martino
family.
Cold Springs Cemetery is located on the eastern limits of the city of Lockport, on the north side of Route 77, across from DeSales Catholic School. It is one of the major historical cemeteries in the Lockport area. This well-maintained prestige resting place has connections with most all Lockport families --- the famous, and the ordinary.
As
one enters Cold Springs the visitor spots the cemetery bell tower, a gift of the Martino
family.
At approximately 8 a.m., 12 Noon, and 6 p.m. the chimes ring out to honor the Martino family at rest and all Lockportians now resident at Cold Springs. A variety of chimes and tunes are sounded depending on the hour.
Our on-site recording of a short segment of the chimes at 8 a.m. may be heard by those whose computers and web browsers have the features to detect the audio .wav file attached to this page.
The first burial at Cold Springs was reported in 1812. During that historic war, federal troops were encamped on Chestnut Ridge atop where the entry to the cemetery is today. A few died during that brief stay and were buried near the entry point. The first civilian burial was in 1815. In 1840 the Cold Springs Cemetery Association was chartered and continues to run the resting ground for Lockportians today. The name is derived from the "cold spring" that still runs in a hollow north of Chestnut Ridge.
A New York State Historical Marker anchors one border, along Cold Springs Road, of the oldest sections of this final resting ground. The property was owned by James Schuler, before being set aside for cemetery use.
Teach me to live that I may dread,
"The shadows are lengthening for me...The twilight is here. My days of old have vanished, tone and tint; they have gone glimmering through the dreams of things that were. Their memory is one of wondrous beauty, watered by tears, and coaxed and caressed by the smiles of yesterday. I listen vainly, but with thirsty ear, for the witching melody of faint bugles blowing reveille, of far drums beating the long roll. In my dreams I bear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield. But in the evening of my memory, I always come back to West Point. Always there echoes and re-echoes in my ears -Duty, Honor, Country. Today marks my final roll call with you. But I want you to know that when I cross the river my last conscious thoughts will be of the Corps; and the Corps; and the Corps. I bid you farewell."
Who would venture out to Cold Springs Cemetery during the snow storm striking Lockport on Valentine's Day? Certainly not the Lockport Page photographer! But on the day after, during the Tuesday noon hour, the sun was out bright and the near half foot of snow that dropped on Valentine's Day was...all on the ground. The snowscape at Cold Springs would make for a pretty picture. Except for the plowed access roads, the last resting place for many Lockportians appeared undisturbed. Not even the print of an animal on patrol in the snow. Well...not quite...
One plot at Cold Springs apparently had been visited late in the afternoon on Valentine's Day. Judging from the depth and track of footprints the visitor didn't stay long. Apparently just long enough to deposit the green marker of red roses on a simple surface stone well covered by snow...and perhaps say a prayer and voice "I love you."
