Many people only visit cemeteries to bury their dead and visit gravesites periodically. But have you ever walked through a cemetery just because? It can be peaceful and really interesting. Admiring the many headstones, and reading the names, dates, and epitaphs of the deceased. It’s interesting to think about what those people saw during their lives.
If you’re looking for cemeteries with a deep history, we’ve got a list for you. The oldest cemeteries in Northeast Ohio.
To set the parameters, it helps to know that the oldest cemetery in Ohio is Union Cemetery in Steubenville, Ohio, established in 1796. Approximately 30 miles west of Pittsburgh, Steubenville isn’t in Northeast Ohio, but it does hold the record for the oldest cemetery in the state.
Erie Street Cemetery
If you look north to Cleveland, the city’s oldest existing burial ground is Erie Street Cemetery, established in 1826. Stretching from E 9th Street to E 14th Street, this cemetery abuts the northeast side of Progressive Stadium. The grounds are enclosed by an iron fence and a magnificent Gothic gateway. It features the graves of 168 veterans who served in wars ranging from the Revolutionary War (1775 -1783) to the Spanish-American War (1898), though most are veterans of the Civil War (1861-1865).
Woodland Cemetery
Established in 1853–27 years after Erie Street–Woodland Cemetery became Cleveland’s main public cemetery for nearly 50 years until it fell into disrepair. However, in 1986 the cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places and has since been restored. Unlike many other cemeteries, Woodland was never segregated by race or religion. The first recorded burial was that of a 15-month-old baby, interred June 23, 1853.
Lake View Cemetery
Perhaps most well-known of Cleveland’s cemeteries, Lake View Cemetery was established in 1869 and features rolling hills, manicured gardens, and ornate memorials. The two most prominent structures are the Garfield Monument (opened 1890) and the Wade Memorial Chapel, the interior designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (built 1901). The cemetery is also home to a monument for those lost in the Collinwood School Fire of 1908, which claimed the lives of 169 young students and three adults
Cuyahoga Falls’ Oakwood Cemetery
Of course, we expect a larger city like Cleveland to have historical sites. But even smaller suburban cities like Cuyahoga Falls boast historical cemeteries. Oakwood Cemetery was established in 1834, just 8 years after Cleveland’s earliest cemetery. Oakwood features a beautiful landscape with rhododendrons and large old trees that stretch to the sky and provide shade for visitors. Walking through Oakwood, you can see shiny new headstones as well as headstones so weathered you can’t make out the inscription. Many of the city’s founders rest on the property.
With historic cemeteries there follows funeral homes. One such funeral home, Clifford-Shoemaker, has been serving Cuyahoga Falls for nearly 120 years and provides its residents with a range of services to meet their needs. If you’re interested in learning more about your local cemeteries and their burial options, reach out to their staff or contact your local funeral home for help answering your questions.