Mountain Property Daytrip to the Coon Dog Cemetery

Wonderful Burial Ground For Coon Dogs

This is one short daytrip from your mountain property at The Bluffs that you have to do just so you can say you did... because no one else will belive you did it! Coon dog cemetery is a wonderful place befitting the burial of coon dogs who have served people for ages. The Coon Dog Cemetery is situated in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In the northwest side of Alabama, there is a deep hallowed place perfect for burial of coon dogs from all over the region. It is a formal, well-kept and beautiful cemetery, for dogs that have chased the elusive raccoon in the Deep South.

History of Coon Dog Cemetery

The history of the coon dog cemetery can be traced back to the 1930's. In a green grassy plot of Freedom Hills, situated in the depth of lush wilderness, Key Underwood had buried his coon dog, Troop. They were best friends for at least 15 years, frequently hunting in that campground where the cemetery rests today. Key Underwood knew that Troop, his favorite coon dog loved this camp. So after Troop’s death, on a dreary Labor Day in 1937, Underwood said goodbye to his dearest coon dog Troop and buried him in that burial ground so that Troop could spend his eternity in his favorite hunting grounds.

The burial spot continue to be a popular hunting camp for coon hunters who used to travel for miles, sit there, tell tales about their life, chew tobacco and gather down to plan the next day's hunting strategies. Troop was already buried, so their conversation would inevitably center on Troop and his master.

Special activities held on Labor Day

Since that day, some Alabama residents celebrate the Labor Day in honor of the coon dogs and special honor is given to every coon dog who has faithfully served their masters. The list of honorees includes Patches, Preacher, Night Ranger, Bean Blossom Bomma, Smoky and Famous Amos. The celebration typically includes music, dancing, food and an interesting “liar’s contest”. The Tennessee Valley Coon Hunter’s Association always conducts these celebrations.

Other specialties of Coon Dog Cemetery 

After Key Underwood buried his favorite coon dog Troop, it was renamed as “Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard”. It became a popular tourist attraction and people from all over the region started burying their coon dogs in this cemetery. With the number of people burying their coon dogs in this cemetery, it has become a famous burial ground for dogs with over 185 coon dogs from all across the United States buried in interesting spot in Northwest Alabama.

While some of the headstones of the Coon Dog Cemetery are made of wood, others are made of sheet metal. But these are not the normal stones found in every cemetery. Even the epitaphs containing the names and messages of coon dogs are differently carved. There are wonderful captions like “A joy to hunt with”, “He was the best I ever had” and so on, carved on the epitaph of the coon dogs to immortalize them.

How to reach Coon Dog Cemetery?

To reach Coon Dog Cemetery, you have to go 7 miles west of Tuscumbia on U.S. Hwy 72. Then turn left on Alabama Hwy 247 and travel for approximately 12 miles. Then turn right and go as the road signs direct you. This way you will reach Coon Dog Cemetery very easily.