Towson Cemetery Uncovers Unmarked Graves Using New Technology

Prospect Hill Cemetery volunteers search for lost resting places to honor the forgotten and expand the historic graveyard.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:42am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a peaceful cemetery scene, with soft pools of warm light and color filtering through the trees, conveying a sense of reverence and contemplation.The quiet, verdant grounds of Prospect Hill Cemetery offer a tranquil respite from the bustle of downtown Towson, as volunteers work to uncover the untold stories of those laid to rest within.Towson Today

Prospect Hill Cemetery in Towson, Maryland is using ground-penetrating radar to uncover over 100 unmarked baby graves on its six-acre grounds. The volunteer-run nonprofit organization is expanding its search to find other unknown burial sites, providing closure for families who have long wondered about lost loved ones and creating new grave plots to help maintain the cemetery's financial health.

Why it matters

As one of the oldest cemeteries in the Towson area, Prospect Hill holds the remains of many prominent local families as well as veterans from past wars. The discovery of these unmarked graves sheds light on the cemetery's history and the personal stories of those who were laid to rest there, often without proper recognition or memorials. The effort to locate the lost graves also helps ensure the long-term viability of the cemetery as a community asset.

The details

Using ground-penetrating radar, the Prospect Hill Cemetery team has already located over 100 unmarked baby graves, many of which are the size of a small shoebox. The volunteers believe these were young families who could not afford proper headstones at the time of burial. The search is now expanding to other parts of the six-acre cemetery grounds to uncover additional unknown resting places. The project aims to not only provide closure for families, but also create new grave plots that can be sold to help fund the cemetery's ongoing maintenance and operations as a nonprofit organization.

  • The search for unmarked graves at Prospect Hill Cemetery began in 2026 after a phone call from a woman in California whose twin sister was buried there in 1949 with no monument.
  • Ground-penetrating radar was first used to survey the 'Babyland' section of the cemetery, where many young children were buried.
  • The search is now expanding to other areas of the historic graveyard as new technology allows the team to uncover more of the cemetery's lost history.

The players

Roger Gookin

A member of the volunteer board of directors that runs Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Carolyn Parker Knott

The board president of Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Oleksander Kerod

A geophysicist with Rettew, the engineering consulting company conducting the ground-penetrating radar survey at Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Prospect Hill Cemetery

A historic cemetery in Towson, Maryland that was founded in 1892 and serves as the final resting place for many prominent local families and veterans.

Rettew

An engineering consulting company that is using ground-penetrating radar technology to help Prospect Hill Cemetery uncover unmarked graves on its grounds.

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What they’re saying

“This is a treasure in Towson, a six-acre green space in the middle of downtown Towson.”

— Roger Gookin, Volunteer board member, Prospect Hill Cemetery

“It feels really good that I can give families actual closure, give them information they may have been wondering for years or decades.”

— Oleksander Kerod, Geophysicist, Rettew

“We became aware of ground-penetrating radar, and that set in motion for us to hire these engineers to look for the unmarked graves.”

— Roger Gookin, Volunteer board member, Prospect Hill Cemetery

What’s next

The Prospect Hill Cemetery team plans to continue expanding their search for unmarked graves across the entire six-acre grounds using the ground-penetrating radar technology. As they uncover more lost resting places, they will work to provide information and closure to any families who have long wondered about the fate of their loved ones.

The takeaway

The rediscovery of Prospect Hill Cemetery's unmarked graves not only honors the forgotten individuals buried there, but also highlights the importance of preserving historic community assets like this green oasis in the heart of Towson. The nonprofit's efforts to locate the lost graves and create new plots will help ensure the cemetery's long-term viability as a final resting place and community gathering space.