If Tombstones Could Talk, The Historic White Lawn Cemetery

I’ve lived in Point Pleasant since 1971; I was five years old. I remember the rickety Lovelandtown Bridge, the 5 & 10, other stores on Arnold Ave, and Bill’s Work Clothes on Bridge Ave. It wasn’t until 1980, when I was fourteen years old, I discovered the White Lawn Cemetery. That was when I got my first job as a Beach Boy at Jenkinson’s.

As I rode my bike past the White Lawn Cemetery for the first time on the way to work, it fascinated me in a weird way. I would ride past White Lawn daily and ask myself, “Who is buried there? How long has this been here?” As a kid, I never delved into the cemetery’s history. Yet, various questions filled my mind every time I passed by it. Over forty years later, I wrote a blog with some answers.

I read about repairs to White Lawn due to vandals (probably kids partying).  I always believed that we should respect a cemetery as sacred.  If I were in a cemetery, I would read headstones, going for the oldest-looking ones first. I would read the dates and inscriptions and imagine this person and how they may have lived their lives. Full disclosure: I never stepped foot inside the White Lawn Cemetery during my youth, as curious as I was. I feel that the cemetery is a place to go only when there is an unfortunate reason to be there, or for education or a specific service.

Captain John Arnold

Captain John Arnold was arguably the most influential figure in Point Pleasant’s development. Upon retiring from the sea, Arnold purchased much land in town.  In 1870, Arnold recognized the community’s need for a cemetery. In 1875, he dedicated a parcel of his land on Trenton Ave for this purpose. Arnold designed the cemetery and chose a location off the main road that bears his name, Arnold Ave. In 1876, the first burial took place.

After researching the cemetery, I realized Captain Arnold was right about having a cemetery in Point Pleasant. Our town was young and growing, and most of Point Pleasant’s founding families already had deep roots, so this made so much sense. Entire families are buried here: the Arnolds, Bennetts, Claytons, VanNotes, Formans, Fleming, and Johnsons, to name a few. I read the list, and some families take up an entire page. Of course, some are only a single name representing a family name.

NJ Private 1st Class Clifford McKenna

Aside from the roster of people who accomplished great things for our Community, some found their final resting place at White Lawn and lived without ever realizing how great their lives were. Clifford McKenna, born June 10, 1946, lived in Point Pleasant with his family. Clifford scored the first touchdown for Point Pleasant Boro under Coach Al Saner. After graduating high school in 1965, McKenna joined the army with a plan to make a career in the service. Clifford was sent to Vietnam in January 1966 as a member of the 101st Airborn. A sniper killed McKenna while he was on patrol on March 20, 1966, at the age of 19. Clifford McKenna’s headstone reads NJ Pfc, 2 Bn, 502 Inf, 101 ABN Div Vietnam SM-BSM-PH.

Clifford McKenna will always be remembered at the sports complex that bears his name, as well as Point Pleasant resident Kevin Lake, who died of encephalitis after receiving a measles vaccine at the age of 15. The Clifford McKenna Kevin Lake sports complex is on Maplewood Rd behind the skateboard park on Rt 88 Point Pleasant.

Conclusion

For years, as a kid, I played ball there and later watched my kids play at the McKenna Lake field (The name of the field in the early years). People would ask, “Where is McKenna Lake”?  I feel a little embarrassed, to be honest, because I did not know this story. I am a guy who follows history, yet I never looked into this. The next time you are at the Clifford McKenna Kevin Lake Field, please take a moment to remember these people; please send me your thoughts. Thank You

If you would like to visit or donate to the Point Pleasant Historic Society Museum at www.pphsm.org

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