Stories included those of soldiers dating back to the Revolutionary War, inventors, politicians, celebrities and other interesting tales.

“The good thing we find here is that we find plenty of people who are virtually unknown but have very interesting stories,” said Noah Goodling, director of Fenton History Center. “Some of them are kind of morbid or scary, suicides, murders, all these sort of sordid things. But others are very uplifting, feel good stories.”

There are 44,000 people buried at the Lake View Cemetery, which is more people than what exists in Jamestown. That also provides plenty of content for Fenton to use during these tours. Goodling jokingly mentioned that “we have a few more years in us before we have to revisit a story.”

Lucille Ball, B.F. Goodrich and Elial Foote are among some of the more famous people who are buried at the cemetery.

Glenn Wahl portraying Thomas R. Ashenhurst, natural genius of fabric.

“These are kind of the obvious choices,” Goodling said.

The walking tour took place during the later hours of the day. Though Goodling said the later tour was not intended to spook their guests, the dark ambiance of the walk provided a gentle backdrop to the stories portrayed.

Henri Le Fevre Brown (1842-1910), the Civil War veteran Medal of Honor recipient turned postman, was portrayed by Steve Johnson. Annie Carlson (1895), a Swedish immigrant struggling to be reunited with her family, was portrayed by Jen Champ. Carl Frederick G. Helbon (1842-1910), the World War II veteran turned horticulturist, was told by Victoria Parker. Leonard K. Olson, former police officer who committed suicide at Niagara Falls, was told by Carol Svensen. Lastly, Charlse Stuart Abbott (1899-1960), the inventor of the “land yacht” (essentially a giant trailer that looked like a giant boat), was told by Daniell DeJoy Moss. There were other actors as well for the carriage tour, including a Vaudeville actor.

Goodling said they work with their community partners, in particular, the Lake View Cemetery, local historical researchers, and local genealogists. Throughout the year, they compile names of potential interesting candidates for the tour, around 15 to 20 stories. The earliest stories that they tell date back to 1950s (at the latest). “We take the pick of the litter from there. Part of it is strategic since we have to develop a route. Part of it is just interest based.”

Tom Greer led the walking tour, sharing various details about the cemetery, local greats and other miscellaneous details in between the featured performers. One particular section that drew the tourists attention was the “Section of Mounds”.

“The mounds section was called as such because the only way you can tell that anyone was buried here was because of the mounds… indigents were buried here who didn’t have enough money for a regular funeral,” Greer said.

He also shared details about Dr. Foote, as in Foote Avenue. Dr. Foote owned the house at the end of that road, as well as much of the land surrounding it. He was much more than a wealthy landowner however, much like his contemporaries.

“Dr. Foote was the community’s first physician, chief judge of the county, state assemblyman, sheriff, bank founder and president, druggist, post-master, and land developer. As is was true with most of the early settlers. Prendergast, Fenton, they all did everything. Dr. Foote also kept historical records from those times, and those notes are still used as references today,” Greer said.

Lawrence Whympenny (1867-1917) was portrayed by Julie Hewitt. Her acting husband was an avid sportsman, starting all sorts of sports teams in this area, ranging from cricket to coits. “They always say theres an old joke in this country about horseshoes. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Hand grenades because you get blown up even if it doesn’t hit you. And horseshoes because you don’t have to get a ringer to get any points. Well not with coits,” said Hewitt.

One character in particular was dismayed that his work has yet been recognized, in life or in death. Glenn Wahn portrayed of Thomas R. Ashenhurst, a “natural genius” of fabrics. He published the ‘Design of Textile Fabric’. He lived much of his life as a pauper.

“Hasn’t anyone read any of my work? Sometimes I fear that I will be a famous person that will never be famous,” Wahn said.

The next tour will be Saturday from 3-10 p.m. at the Lake View Cemetery. Proceeds benefit the programs of the Fenton History Center. Further information can be found at fentonhistorycenter.org.