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Childersburg, Alabama: Lightning Grave of Bill Cosper

William Yeldell Cosper was struck by lightning on his front porch, lived, then was struck by lightning again and died. He was buried, then his tombstone was struck by lightning and destroyed. His family erected a new tombstone -- which was also destroyed by lightning. The family gave up and left the small pile of rubble to mark Bill's grave.

Childersburg Cemetery

Address:
8th Ave. SW, Childersburg, AL
Directions:
Childersburg Cemetery. From US Hwy 280 turn east at the Childersburg Church of God onto 9th St. Drive one block. Turn right onto 8th Ave. SW. You'll see the cemetery on the left. The grave is in the center of the cemetery (its oldest part) near the entry arch. The rubble tombstone is just to the left of a small tombstone for Little George Cosper.
Admission:
Free
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Outdoor grave with a blackened tombstone blasted into rubble by a lightning bolt.

Lightning Grave of Bill Cosper

There are many Cospers located in the place described -- but not Bill. If you stand in front of the more prominent Cosper's markers which are located in front of the entry arch -- put your back to the arch -- Bill is a few paces to the right and then forward. His daughter's marker is laying on the ground just in front of him. Once you see it you'll know it's him!

Literally "burned rubble."

Cemetery pretty easy to spot on your right as you enter town.

[Kathy & Ron NxNE, 06/08/2015]

Outdoor grave with a blackened tombstone blasted into rubble by a lightning bolt.

Lightning Grave of Bill Cosper

No name marker makes it hard to know for certain if this is the marker; however, the Little George marker is clearly located to the left of this pile of rubble. The cemetery itself is rather interesting, with many pre-Civil War graves.

[Jenn Hadley, 06/08/2015]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Gravity HillGravity Hill, Sylacauga, AL - 5 mi.
Majestic CavernsMajestic Caverns, Childersburg, AL - 5 mi.
Large Copper FrogLarge Copper Frog, Harpersville, AL - 8 mi.
In the region:
Four Big Adirondack Chairs, Ashville, AL - 36 mi.

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