The heavy rains unfortunately had a detrimental effect on Rome’s second oldest cemetery – with about 50 feet of marble wall falling from the South Broad side of Myrtle Hill, Thursday, leaving several vaults, with caskets in them, exposed.  They were covered and protected by tarp overnight with the City having crews come in to remove marble and other debris from the sidewalk.

  That portion of the sidewalk will be closed down until permanent repairs can be made.

Myrtle Hill Cemetery was established in 1857.  It covers 32 acres, is the final resting place of more than 20,000 people, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

(WRGA/www.wrgarome.com)