On Labor Day in 1937 deep in rural Colbert County, Alabama, a sad moment unfolded in the life of Key Underwood. His prized coon dog “Troop” passed away somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 years of age. 15 years old is a respectable life span for a dog but it's never easy burying an old dog friend. Our family recently watched our family dog pass away too and it's darn sure a hard thing.
Key Underwood decided that Troop needed a proper burial, so, there deep in the woods of north Alabama he laid Troop to rest at a hunting camp where he had spent much time with his faithful dog friend. Time travel forward over 80 years to 2021 and the woods near Cherokee, Alabama haven't changed much. Somehow, the ever encroaching urban sprawl still hasn't quite reached this secluded area. The biggest difference is now Troop doesn't rest alone at this old hunting camp, instead he is joined by dozens of other coon dog friends at the fabled "Coon Dog Cemetery" of Alabama, or as it is properly titled: The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard.
Karl and Tonya from When It Was Cool recently traveled to the Coon Dog cemetery for the first time. To say this is about as perfect a spot for a dog to rest in peace is an understatement. Deep in the thick woods, right where you would expect a coon dog to be most at home. The cemetery is covered in tasteful and elaborate tombstones and monuments to man's best friend (and presumably a coon's worst enemy.)
By most accounts, Key Underwood had no intention of starting a dog graveyard but rather only sought to bury Troop at a spot they were fond of. Key Underwood buried Troop three feet deep and engraved an old chimney stone for a tombstone. However, other hunters followed growing the cemetery to over 300 dogs.
Dogs buried at Coon Dog cemetery must meet three requirements. First, the owner must certify that their dog is a purebred coonhound. Second, a witness must declare that the deceased coon dog is, in fact, a coon dog that has hunted coons, and, finally, a member of the local coonhunters' organization must be allowed to view the coonhound's body and certify it to be purebred. Mixed breeds or pet dogs are not allowed to be buried in the graveyard.
Every Labor Day the Tennessee Valley Coon Hunter's Association sponsors a gathering at the coon dog cemetery in a tribute to Troop's burial on Labor Day in 1937. The celebration includes bluegrass music and more. Admission is free to the public, but donations are accepted and go toward upkeeping the historic Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery.
The address for those of you who may be wanting to GPS your way to the Coon Dog cemetery is 4945 Coondog Cemetery Rd, Cherokee, AL 35616. Be advised there is no admission nor gated entrance so if you go late evening or after dark there is no light there so use caution and please leave no trace and pick up any trash that might be there. The Key Underwood Coondog graveyard has been there since 1937, let’s please don’t be the generation that ruins it.
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