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| Benner Cemetery |
My next installment of Lost Resting
Places is not as “lost” as ones before that I've visited. Benner Cemetery however
has only just recently been accessible to the public. For many years, Benner Cemetery was on land owned by the Rockview
Penitentiary near State College. In 2010 a new land agreement was drawn up and
ownership was transferred over to The Pennsylvania State University. That being
the case, it was just asking for me to explore.
The cemetery gets its name from one
of it’s most notable interment, General Phillip Benner, and his family.
General Benner is noted as the first Iron Master of what is now Centre County.
Besides being an accomplished Iron Master, he went on to build multiple homes
in Bellefonte, a few stores, gristmill, and other structures. He later became a civic leader in the community and
founded the Centre Democrat newspaper in 1827. General Phillip Benner wound then pass away in July of 1832. The
cemetery today stands in an open field with huge trees surrounding its
perimeter. A stone fence encompasses the graveyard’s entirety. The only
way in is a stone staircase that goes over the wall. Some graves have fallen
over and some are illegible, but people still visit and leave flowers.
To get to Benner Cemetery, take the Shiloh Exit off of
I-99 and head north. A short distance a State Game Lands(SGL) sign welcomes you
and a pull off stands to the right. Just after the pull off, there is a small
area to park on the left hand side next to a foundation of an old structure,
which is about 200 feet from the SGL sign. Follow the path into the woods and
eventually it will lead to an open field. Benner Cemetery will be on the left
located along the path. It is very hard to miss with the huge trees surrounding
it. As always, please be respectful.
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