Reason why two people are buried in graves under airport's busy runway

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By stefan armitage

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Social media users have been left in disbelief after learning that there are two graves located in the middle of a busy airport runway.

Now, nobody likes being stuck on the runway when traveling. But at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, two people have found themself permanently on the runway.

GettyImages-2167475726.jpgMost people can't wait to get off the runway. Credit: Kevin Carter / Getty

However, they're not travelers - in fact, they weren't even alive when the airplane was invented.

No, this is because the two individuals have found themselves lying in eternal rest with their graves directly in the runway.

Yep, you read that right. In a plot twist that feels straight out of a mystery novel, two tombs are literally part of the tarmac. So how did this eerie scenario come to be?

Back in the 1800s, the land where the airport now sits was owned by a local farming family— the Dotsons.

Screenshot 2024-09-22 at 15.55.58.jpgThe two graves in the middle of the runway Credit: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

As detailed on the airport's official website, when Richard and Catherine Dotson passed away, they were buried in their family plot. Fast forward to the 20th century, and the city wanted to build an airport, which meant paving over the Dotson family farm.

With World War II going on, the nation required additional facilities. Therefore, in 1942, the federal government and the City of Savannah for 1,100 acres - and what is now the Savannah/Hilton Head International airport was built.


The Dotsons' descendants agreed to let the airport use the land, but with one very specific request: the graves of Richard and Catherine should never be disturbed.

The family's great-grandchildren negotiated with the federal government and all but four of their ancestors were relocated to Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, the airport states.

Two other family members, Daniel Hueston and John Dotson, also remained in place - but their graves are located next to the 9,350-foot runway - where thousands of general and commercial aviation operations take place every year.

Screenshot 2024-09-22 at 15.56.06.jpgThe grave of Daniel Hueston. Credit: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

And thus, their final resting places remain embedded in the airport’s tarmac to this day - with the airport being the only one in the world to have graves proudly and prominently built into the runway.

Amazingly, It is believed that the familial cemetery actually contained more than 100 graves.

After seeing a post on X detailing the amazing fact, social media users were left in disbelief, with one person writing: "Too bad they couldn’t preserve the land but at least they’re still respected."

A second added: "I had no idea and I’ve been in and out of this airport many times."

So, the next time you’re flying in or out of Savannah, you might just be rolling over a piece of history - literally!

Featured image credit: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

Reason why two people are buried in graves under airport's busy runway

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

Social media users have been left in disbelief after learning that there are two graves located in the middle of a busy airport runway.

Now, nobody likes being stuck on the runway when traveling. But at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, two people have found themself permanently on the runway.

GettyImages-2167475726.jpgMost people can't wait to get off the runway. Credit: Kevin Carter / Getty

However, they're not travelers - in fact, they weren't even alive when the airplane was invented.

No, this is because the two individuals have found themselves lying in eternal rest with their graves directly in the runway.

Yep, you read that right. In a plot twist that feels straight out of a mystery novel, two tombs are literally part of the tarmac. So how did this eerie scenario come to be?

Back in the 1800s, the land where the airport now sits was owned by a local farming family— the Dotsons.

Screenshot 2024-09-22 at 15.55.58.jpgThe two graves in the middle of the runway Credit: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

As detailed on the airport's official website, when Richard and Catherine Dotson passed away, they were buried in their family plot. Fast forward to the 20th century, and the city wanted to build an airport, which meant paving over the Dotson family farm.

With World War II going on, the nation required additional facilities. Therefore, in 1942, the federal government and the City of Savannah for 1,100 acres - and what is now the Savannah/Hilton Head International airport was built.


The Dotsons' descendants agreed to let the airport use the land, but with one very specific request: the graves of Richard and Catherine should never be disturbed.

The family's great-grandchildren negotiated with the federal government and all but four of their ancestors were relocated to Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, the airport states.

Two other family members, Daniel Hueston and John Dotson, also remained in place - but their graves are located next to the 9,350-foot runway - where thousands of general and commercial aviation operations take place every year.

Screenshot 2024-09-22 at 15.56.06.jpgThe grave of Daniel Hueston. Credit: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

And thus, their final resting places remain embedded in the airport’s tarmac to this day - with the airport being the only one in the world to have graves proudly and prominently built into the runway.

Amazingly, It is believed that the familial cemetery actually contained more than 100 graves.

After seeing a post on X detailing the amazing fact, social media users were left in disbelief, with one person writing: "Too bad they couldn’t preserve the land but at least they’re still respected."

A second added: "I had no idea and I’ve been in and out of this airport many times."

So, the next time you’re flying in or out of Savannah, you might just be rolling over a piece of history - literally!

Featured image credit: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport