BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The Baldwin County Commission is continuing to gather mineral rights for acquisition and construction of a state veterans cemetery north of Spanish Fort at the Saluda Hill Cemetery site.

Legal control of mineral rights are a requirement for the release of $7 million in federal grants to construct the facility on 103 acres.

Plans for the cemetery incorporate Saluda Hill Cemetery, one of the oldest burial sites in the county, which will remain unchanged, according to county officials.

The private cemetery was established in 1824. Graves include Zachariah Godbold, the only known Revolutionary War veteran buried in Baldwin County.

Numerous Blakeley residents and Confederate soldiers also are buried in the cemetery.

When the county completes mineral rights acquisitions, the tract will be turned over to the state for management.

A status hearing is slated April 10 at 10 a.m. at the Baldwin County Probate Office in Bay Minette to determine if all condemnation notices have been served.