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The Newtown Cemetery had not been active for many years. Most of the burials there had been in wooden coffins, which had deteriorated over the years. Specially designed containers were made for each burial, and assigned a number. If there was a tombstone, it was assigned the same number, in an attempt to maintain the integrity of the burials.
It was not until spring of 1942 that the final stages of the levee construction took place.
Flood gates, which had been installed at Fourth Street (the former US 50) and near Durbin Road (now Front Street) were to be phased out and the gaps filled to match the rest of the levee.
Several pump stations and relief wells were being built, with one on Durbin Road, another on Fourth Street and two to take care of the Seagram and Old Quaker Distilleries.
They proved their worth in January of 1943, when floodwaters once again surrounded the city.
Flood gates were closed at the end of Center Street and on the Big Four Railroad, and the pumps were activated. Engineers who examined the area said the city had been kept completely free of seep water.
It was not until October of 1943 that Mayor Baker, W.M. Turner, C.A. Lowe, Sam Ellington and Albert Karsteter inspected the levee, and the Mayor declared that it was finally complete, except for some painting and a “few minor details.” An odyssey, which had taken five years and seven months, was finally over.
Top left: Relocation of remains from Newtown Cemetery to Greendale Cemetery, to make way for the levee. Left: U.S. 50 highway bridge and RR bridge looking toward Seagram Distillery.
FACTS & FIGURES
$900,000
The amount allotted by Congress to build a new levee for Lawrenceburg in June of 1939.
2.5 MILLION
The amount of cubic yards of earth moved during the construction of the levee.
$3.6 MILLION
An addition to the levee was added in 2000 to protect a large area west of US 50 in Greendale.
The cost was $3.6 million dollars.
$1.4 BILLION
The estimated value of property and businesses protected by the Lawrenceburg Levee.