Aurora Pet Cemetery Happy Woodland, Just A Bit More And May Be Last

I have gone that far and here I am giving up. For time being I have decided to physically stop searching for the Woodland (sometimes referred as Woodlawn) Pet cemetery in Aurora.

Too many obstacles presented itself that made me think that I should not proceed. I have gone from person to person and never straight answer. After five posts of information I gathered, in September I finally received Happy Woodland report from the Manager of Heritage Planning & Urban Design, Town of Aurora.

When there was no more obstacles and I was so close to have the opportunity, I declined. The fact that there were pet ghost encounters associated with the pet cemetery made me think twice. It is no secret, but those things, you know, ghostly or spirits whatever you want to call them, tend to sometimes follow me, so the last thing is I want is to have ghost pets on my backyard.

However, someone did a job for me. One of my blog readers from Aurora sent me three images from the pet cemetery. My blog reader confirmed that there were over 200 headstones many of them made from granite and were in really good condition.

One of the photos sent to me included simple headstone for pets of Anne Elizabeth and Victor Blochin, the owners of the pet cemetery.


‘…Farewell, farewell !
Depart in peace, dwell ye unvexed forever.
‘T is after all but little ye can know.
Did once the bitter cup, which we must drain.
But touch your lips, not, then, as we do now.
Could ye find words to sing the praise of Nature.

Then might ye tell,
How man’s misfortune makes his fate sublime.

Farewell, farewell !
Wend ye your ways in the unshadowed fields.
No wish have we that ye should taste distress
The great unhappiness is ours alone.
We, only, know to dread what is unknown.
But, thus, being doomed we yet find words to bless.

Farewell, farewell !
Wend ye your ways in the unshadowed fields. …’

~ from Chant of a Woodland Spirit, by Robert Burns Wilson



A bit of current information was also provided by a lady called Kelli who broadcast her message on the Aurora Citizen blog, November 2010.

‘I was wondering if anyone was familiar with the Aurora Pet Cemetery? I have recently visited the “secret” cemetery (I had to trespass of course but it was well worth it)! I captured 100 plus pictures of pet head stones dating back to the early 1900′s right up until the early 80′s. You can find all kinds of different pets ranging from dogs, cats, birds and bunnies! For any pet lover it pulls at your heart strings and doesn’t let go …… the shame is that a developer has purchased the land and will be destroying what I think is quite a significant piece of Auroras history and quite interesting as well. I have been investigating this land mark all summer long and would love to share my findings with someone who might like to help me bring some “visibility” to this very unique and touching part of our town….. at the very least it would be nice to profile it, if not save some of the head stones that exist there (although I counted easily 200 plus) of the ones that I could find.’ Source: Aurora Pet Cemetary to be Developed.

As of today we don’t know what is going to happen to the Happy Woodland pet cemetery. The rumor is that it was sold to the developer and the land is going to be developed. It is amazing piece of Aurora history that may be gone forever.

Now you may ask who was Robert Burns Wilson?.

Robert Burns Wilson was an American painter and poet (born 1850, Parker, Pennsylvania; died March 30, 1916, Brooklyn, New York). He was also father of Anne Elizabeth (Wilson) Blochin. Source: Wiki.

Anne Elizabeth (Wilson) Blochin’s grandmother was Elizabeth Anna.

‘Robert Burns Wilson was born on Oct. 30, 1850 in Pennsylvania. His father, Thomas M. Wilson, was a builder and architect. His mother, Elizabeth Anna McLean, hailed from Hanover County Virginia. His father died while Wilson was just a boy.‘ Source: State-Journal.com.

Anne Elizabeth (Wilson) Blochin was Robert Burns Wilson’s only daughter.

‘Finally, in March of 1901, Wilson married to Ann Hendrick. Wilson was 50 years old and his young bride was 20 years old. Following their wedding ceremony, the newlyweds spent some time with Ann’s parents in New York before moving back to Frankfort. They settled into a couple rooms in a house located on West Fourth Street. It was there that Robert and Ann Wilson’s only daughter was born on Nov. 28, 1902. Her name was Ann Elizabeth Wilson.‘ Source: State-Journal.com.

‘Wilson’s daughter, Ann, was one source of joy during his struggles in New York. Wilson allegedly said to a friend, “Oh, if I only had my Kentucky hills to inspire me, I could do better work in both writing and painting.” ‘ Source: State-Journal.com.

Was Happy Woodland name related to Chant of a Woodland Spirit, work by Ann Elizabeth’s father Robert Burns Wilson? Possible.

‘In 1887, Wilson compiled his first collection of poems in a 268-page volume titled “Life and Love.” In 1894, his second volume, “Chant of a Woodland Spirit,” was published and dedicated to his Frankfort friend, John Fox, Jr.‘ Source: State-Journal.com.

I could not find any references if Anne Elizabeth and Victor Blochin had any children. My assumption is that they did not. Anne Elizabeth (Wilson) Blochin burial is at the Aurora Cemetery. According to the report from the Historical Society when Victor Blochin was still alive the property was sold to the owners of Kennel Inn. Victor Blochin continued to live in his house and worked as a consultant to Kennel Inn until he died. Mr. Blochin died in February of 1978. His grave must also be at the Aurora Cemetery.

The only legacy left behind Blochin’s is the Happy Woodland pet cemetery that still stands today in the Town of Aurora, Ontario. I may be giving up with the photos, but not with searching for more stories. Not sure if there is more.

FURTHER REFERENCES:

1. Robert Burns Wilson Burial.
2. Digital copy of Book Chant of a Woodland Spirit by Robert Burns Wilson.
3. Robert Burns Wilson, Wiki Bio.

FURTHER READING:

Part 1 Pet Cemetery, Not Just Aurora’s But Canada’s First, Part I
Part 2 Happy Woodlawn Pet Cemetery, Dog Ghost Stories, Part II
Part 3 About Canada’s Only Pet Cemetery In Aurora, Finally, Part III
Part 4 People Behind The Pet Cemetery, Mrs. Anne Elizabeth Blochin, Part IV
Part 5 Who Was Mrs. Capstick, Pet Cemetery, Part V