The graveyard’s story begins on Labor Day in 1937, when Key Underwood, mourning the loss of his beloved coon dog, Troop, chose to bury him in a spot where they had spent countless nights hunting together. Troop wasn’t just any dog — he was a legend in the local hunting community, known for his uncanny ability to track raccoons through the dense Alabama woods. With a heavy heart, Key picked a special hunting camp in Freedom Hills as Troop’s final resting place. He marked the grave with a hand-chiseled limestone rock, simply etched with “Troop, Sept. 4, 1937.”
What started as a personal tribute to a loyal companion quickly gained traction. Other hunters began burying their prized coon dogs alongside Troop, and before long, the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard became a bona fide, tail-wagging phenomenon.
Now, don’t get any ideas about sneaking your pampered lapdog into this hallowed ground. The Coon Dog Cemetery has some of the strictest admission requirements around — stricter than most nightclubs. To be laid to rest here, a dog must be a bona fide, certified, purebred coon dog. No exceptions. The official rules state that each dog must be verified by a witness and approved by a member of the local coon hunters’ association.
In fact, one of the graveyard’s caretakers once famously quipped, “You must have a coon dog to be buried here, and he must be dead.” There’s no bending the rules — not even for that one neighbor who insists their cockapoo has “hunting instincts.”
Strolling through the graveyard, you’ll find headstones both touching and downright hilarious. Some carry heartfelt messages like, “He wasn’t the best, but he was the best I had,” while others are a little more, let’s say, creative: “Here lies Ol’ Red — treed more coons than you’ve ever seen.” Each epitaph tells a story, painting a picture of a four-legged friend who wasn’t just a pet but a true-blue hunting partner.
One famous marker reads: “Preacher — A coon’s worst nightmare.” If that doesn’t make you smile and tear up at the same time, check your pulse.
But this isn’t just a somber place of mourning. The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard has become a quirky, joyful celebration of these remarkable dogs and their place in Southern culture. Every Labor Day, the cemetery hosts a lively event featuring music, food, and plenty of storytelling. Think of it as a family reunion — if your family consisted entirely of dogs, banjos, and people wearing camouflage.
Visitors from all over come to pay their respects, take photos, and swap tales about their own coon dogs. There’s even a treeing contest, where dogs show off their skills by chasing raccoon scents and “treeing” imaginary prey. It’s a sight to behold — a chorus of barking, tails wagging, and proud owners cheering their pups on.
For those unfamiliar with the breed, coon dogs (typically Blueticks, Redbones, and Walkers) are a special kind of hound, bred specifically for their hunting prowess. These dogs are fearless, determined, and have an almost mystical ability to sniff out raccoons in the dead of night. To their owners, they’re more than just hunting companions — they’re loyal friends, steadfast partners, and occasionally, the best listeners in the world.
In Southern culture, owning a great coon dog is a badge of honor. It’s like driving a classic truck or making the perfect batch of sweet tea — it says something about who you are. So, when one of these dogs passes on, it’s only fitting that they get a proper send-off.
Despite its remote location, the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard has become a surprisingly popular tourist attraction. It’s been featured in everything from “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” to “The New York Times.” The graveyard even had a cameo in the movie “Sweet Home Alabama,” because nothing says romance quite like a coon dog cemetery.
People come from all walks of life to visit this one-of-a-kind spot — hunters, dog lovers, history buffs, and the occasional curious traveler who took a wrong turn off the Natchez Trace Parkway. They leave with a newfound appreciation for the bond between a hunter and his dog — and probably a few great stories to tell their friends back home.
The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard is more than just a quirky slice of Americana — it’s a heartfelt tribute to the loyal, hardworking dogs who have earned their place in hunting history. It’s a place where love, loyalty, and a little bit of humor come together in a way that’s uniquely Southern.
So, if you ever find yourself wandering the backroads of Alabama, take a detour and pay a visit. Tip your hat to Troop, read a few epitaphs, and maybe — just maybe — you’ll hear the distant, ghostly howl of a coon dog treeing one last raccoon.
Rest easy, good boys and girls. You’ve earned it.