Secrets of the Ancient Headstone
Ecorse sits south of Detroit along the river. This land holds a very deep history. French colonists settled here in the late 18th century. They named the waterway “Riviere Aux Echorches.” In English, this means “The River of Barks.” Native Americans once harvested bark here for their canoes. Consequently, many people believe an Ancient Headstone marks this land as a burial ground.
My grandfather uncovered human remains in the late 1950s while digging a foundation. At the time, the contractor told him this was a common find. Decades later, our family found something else. We unearthed a mysterious stone fragment in our own backyard.
A Discovery in the Dirt
My father hit a large rock in the mid-70s. He was digging a foundation for a new shed. Specifically, he pulled a smooth, gray stone from the earth. One side was perfectly flat. It clearly showed the numbers “1717” etched into the surface. In addition, if we turned the stone, it looked like it spelled “LILI.”
My mother felt sure we found an Ancient Headstone. Therefore, my father stopped digging immediately. He did not want to disturb the site further. Similarly, we felt a strange energy from the object. It reminded us of the spirits at the Bootleggers Brothel.
Honoring the Local Legend
The stone became a huge local mystery. Neighbors visited us all summer to see the discovery. Some thought it was an old address marker. However, others were certain it was a grave marker.
My parents chose to honor the stone. For this reason, they placed it in the front flower bed as a permanent fixture. We never knew its true origin. Nevertheless, we respected the Ancient Headstone until we moved away. Strange things often happened in that house. Experts say that disturbing burial sites can cause hauntings. We believe the spirits still rest beneath that soil.
