New Brick Columns Adorn Gates Cemetery

Even though the village of Gates is quieter than in past years, the cemetery is the resting place for one of the most famous photographers in Nebraska – Solomon Butcher. The Gates Cemetery Board recognizes the historical importance of their cemetery, “a perpetual record of yesterday”, if you will.

The Gates Cemetery Board was excited to apply for a grant from the Custer County Foundation to add brick columns to make both entrances look uniform. Two, 4 ½ foot brick columns have been erected on either side of the second entrance, which allows visitors to enter, or exit after visiting any of the 600+ graves.  The Gates Cemetery Board applied during the Spring 2023 grant cycle, however, the work was completed in May 2024. 

During the Spring 2023 grant cycle, the CCF awarded $64,910 to 22 Custer County Organizations.  The Custer County Foundation has granted a total of $1,146,957 to various projects around Custer County.

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