Selma Snook buried four of her poodles in Aspin Hill Cemetery for Pet Animals in the early 1920s. From left to right, are interred the remains of Boots, Buster, Trixie, and Snowball. Their funerals were described in Aspin Hill Cemetery for Pet Animals, The Early Years.
Peerless Rockville, the historical society for the city of Rockville, Maryland, has a collection of photographs taken by Malcolm Walter. Eight of them were of Aspin Hill Cemetery for Pet Animals (as it was called then), taken in 1927. I was particularly interested in how orderly the grave stones were in the plot and wondered what they might look like now.
I found the Snook plot in the oldest part of the cemetery. This photograph, taken by my husband, shows what it looks like now.
The bars are gone from around the plot, although the cornerstones remain. The granite markers for Boots and Snowball are still upright. Trixie’s stone has fallen, but the inscription is still readable. Unfortunately, Buster’s stone has fallen face down.
In my history of the cemetery, I mentioned Selma Snook and her elaborate memorial services to her beloved dogs because I believe that they are culturally and historically significant. Aspin Hill Cemetery for Pet Animals was created in a time of change for the region. More people were living in an urban environment. Burial of pets on ones’ own property became less of an option. Those who could afford it made use of the pet cemetery, which was the only one on the East Coast within 200 miles of Washington, D. C.
Restoring the Snook plot to its former state (as well as a few other significant grave sites) would be an excellent way for the Montgomery County Humane Society to improve the cemetery, and garner public support as it develops the property for its headquarters.
Who and why removed the bars? Why isn’t this historical area kept up? And yes the humane society should be involved Montgomery County. But I’ve always wanted to know also why is aspin spelled that way and aspen hill is spelled this way?
Me too
Brenda: In all likelihood, the iron bars rusted after being exposed to the elements for 90+ years. Also, on the cemetery website, it
says the name Aspin Hill came from a famous kennel in England. The original owners chose the name.
Julianne, thank you for such a detailed history of Mrs. Snook’s beloved poodles. I also applaud the effort you undertook to post a picture of the gravesite from the 1920’s and what it looks like now. I, too, wish as you continue to discover these stories that there is something we can do to restore them, especially as the MCHS moves forward towards their goal of building their headquarters at the site. I do not see any reason why such restorations cannot proceed along with the MCHS plans for the headquarters. I am not talking about the whole thing but certainly, the ones you have featured in your pet cemetery stories.
I continue to ask “what can we do to help?” Any ideas come to mind?
Sincerely,
Jane Dean
Jane, I’m glad you enjoy the stories and the research I’ve done. When there are hearings about the development plan, I will let everyone on my mailing list know. That is when it will be very helpful for you to show up, so people will know how many of us care for the well-being of the cemetery. Other than that, visit the cemetery, and if you see anything that looks wrong, let the MC Humane Society know.
My family has a plot for our beloved pets there. We have 3- maybe 4 dogs, a cat and my beloved cockatiel buried there.
Thank you, Julianne, for another fine article, interesting and well researched but sadly descriptive of how conditions have deteriorated over the years.
I suggest one answer to “what can I do to help?” —
Make a financial donation of any amount to the Montgomery Co Human Society, and specifically note that your donation is to go only for “gravestone restoration.” If you have a specific area or marker in mind, that should be noted in writing also. The recipient is bound to expressed donor intentions.
Then keep track of the use of your contribution.