Gravesites tend to be pretty uniform in appearance. But that’s not always the case – and the grave of 10-year-old Florence Irene Ford is proof. It was at the request of Florence’s mother that the peculiar gravesite was constructed. And though it may seem strange at first, her mother’s reason is actually quite touching. Take a look:

Dating back to 1822, Natchez City Cemetery is brimming with history. It’s also brimming with interesting gravesites – including that of Florence Irene Ford.
Patrick Keller/Flickr
At first glance, the gravesite appears to be pretty typical...
Natchez City Cemetery/Facebook
...but once you take a closer look, you’ll notice that behind the headstone is a door, which leads to a set of stairs.
Backroads and Burgers/Facebook
Today, the stairs seem to go nowhere – but that wasn’t always the case. When built, Florence’s coffin was outfitted with a small window, and the stairs led down to that window (which has since been cemented over to prevent vandalism).
Tracy T/TripAdvisor

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So why did Florence’s mother have such a unique gravesite built? It was so she could comfort Florence during thunderstorms – something that greatly frightened the 10-year-old girl when alive.
Visit Natchez/Facebook
After Florence’s death, any time a storm struck, her mother would descend the stairs and simply sit with Florence.
Shanna Riley/Flickr
Florence's grave - along with the many others that fill Natchez City Cemetery - can be visited daily from 7 a.m. to dusk.
Shanna Riley/Flickr
While at the cemetery, be sure to check out the other notable gravesites and monuments, including the Turning Angel statue, which appears to turn and look at passing cars.
Jon Sund/Google

For more information on Natchez City Cemetery, call (601) 445-5051. You can also visit the cemetery’s website or Facebook page.

Address: 2 Cemetery Road, Natchez, MS, 39120

This isn’t the only intriguing gravesite in Mississippi. Read about another here.

 

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