10 Must See American Cemeteries

Dark. Musty. Tranquil. Creepy. The pageantry of the afterlife etched out in granite, marble, you name it. Cemeteries are a little divisive as a destination but are also truly destinations to be seen.

 

I will admit that some people find my fascination with cemeteries a little morbid, but what’s the fun in being normal. (I even wrote a post on why cemeteries are awesome.) My first excursion of exploring a cemetery was part of a class project and to tell you the truth, I was hooked. Today, many modern cemeteries, and even tombstones themselves, are plain, everything matches. Cemeteries were not always like that. Tombstones used to be art, a way to really make yourself stand out in the afterlife. There is just something amazing in finding a unique headstone or mausoleum. When it comes to cemeteries, the older it is the better.

I have compiled a list of 10 must see cemeteries in the United States. I will admit that the mostly focus on the Midwest and East Coast, but these are some of the best I have seen.

So, in no particular order…

 

1. Albany Rural Cemetery in Albany, New York

 

On what used to be the outskirts of New York’s state capital, Albany Rural Cemetery was founded in 1844 as part of the rural cemeteries movement, which moved cemeteries out of the cities into a park like cemetery. Walking through Albany Rural is actually very similar to walking through a park. In fact, I saw at least a couple of joggers.

So huge it is better to have a car or a bike to explore, Albany Rural is still an active cemetery, full of amazing monuments and mausoleums. The most famous person buried here is President Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President.

 

2. Old Granary Burying Ground in Boston, Massachusetts

 

The Old Granary Burying Ground is one of the many fascinating cemeteries along Boston’s Freedom Trail. Founded in 1660, it is the final resting place of many Revolutionary War heroes and even three signers of the Declaration of Independence. How awesome is that!

One can find this cemetery very crowded during the summer months, but the history of this place is astonishing, so is the number of patriots, such as Samuel Adams (not involved in the modern Sam Adams beer), John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, Paul Revere, and even members of Benjamin Franklin’s family.

 

3. Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri

 

Like Albany Rural, Bellefontaine Cemetery was founded as part of the rural cemetery movement in 1849. This cemetery is full of gorgeous monuments and mausoleums of the dearly departed, including those of prominent St. Louis businessmen (Adolphus Busch (the beer guy)), both Union and Confederate soldiers, and even explorer William Clark, of Lewis and Clark, is buried here as well. The cemetery is just simply stunning and a must see if you find yourself in St. Louis.

 

4. Hope Cemetery in Barre, Vermont

 

This has got to be the most interesting cemetery I have ever visited by far. I can’t remember how I learned about this place but ever since, it has been on my expanded bucket list (the first version was completed, so I had to come up with a new one).

Hope Cemetery is just plain unique. Nicknamed the “Uffizi of Necropolises,” it is full of strange tombstones consisting of soccer balls, race cars, armchairs and the like. Even the more subdued monuments are exquisitely carved. What is even more interesting, many of the early tombs were carved by the people buried underneath them. Well, it isn’t that surprising since Barre, Vermont’s main export during the early 20th century was granite tombstones. Hope Cemetery is where one goes out with style.

 

5. Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia

 

Right across the Potomac River from downtown Washington, D.C., is Arlington National Cemetery. We most likely have all seen the humbling rows of white tombstones of fallen service members, but there is more to this cemetery. Arlington is not just rows upon uniform rows of tombs, it contains memorials, regular tombs of important people and of course, the tomb of the fallen president and his family, John F. Kennedy. JFK’s tomb is still a place of pilgrimage for many.

What I find most interesting about Arlington National Cemetery is where it is located. The cemetery was founded right on the property of the great Confederate General Robert E. Lee himself. Nice comeuppance to bury fallen Union soldiers at the home of a Confederate General, although the family was later reimbursed. His house still stands on top of the hill, right above JFK’s tomb.

 

6. Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois

 

Oak Ridge Cemetery is the second most visited cemetery in the country (right after Arlington), all because of one guy, Abraham Lincoln. And for most, this is the only part of the cemetery they see. Behind Lincoln’s enormous tomb is what makes this cemetery truly special.

Another one of those grand rural cemeteries, Oak Ridge was founded in 1855 on the edge of the Illinois State capital of Springfield. While still an active cemetery, the older sections are located behind the famous mausoleum. Many important Illinoisans can be found along the winding paths, barely wide enough for a single car. Former governors, relatives of Lincoln, past lawmakers, and some rather unusual people can be found here. The best time to visit is in Autumn. They have picked some rather stunning trees to plant here.

 

 

7. Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois

 

I may have not visited in the best time of year for this cemetery, however, Graceland still lived up to its awesome reputation. This Victorian cemetery, in Uptown Chicago, is full of some of the most prominent Chicagoans of the 19-20th centuries. Here you can find the tombs of famous Chicago architects, politicians, businessmen (Marshall Field being one of the most recognized ones), and even the first female detective, Kate Warne, an Allen Pinkerton (also buried here) employee.

Graceland is easy to reach. An “L” stop (Sheridan) on the Red Line is only a couple of blocks away.

 

8. Trinity Churchyard in New York, New York

 

Trinity Church has got to be one of the most famous sites in all of the New York City (especially after that Nicolas Cage movie, National Treasure). The church is surrounded by an old style (and we really do mean old) cemetery. The churchyard is one of the few remaining cemeteries in Manhattan. You have to love the contrast of an 18th century cemetery and the 20th-21st century buildings that surround it, especially in land-scarce Manhattan. The cemetery is now basically a park in which the locals use to escape some of the insanity of Lower Manhattan.

Added bonus to the churchyard is the tomb of Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father of the United States, the first Secretary of the Treasury, founder of the Federalist Party, dueling silver medalist, and the face of the American $10 bill, and mostly famous because of that musical about him.

 

9. Old First Church Cemetery in Bennington, Vermont

 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I– I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost

I may have found this one by accident, a happy accident. I was driving from near Albany, New York heading towards central Vermont. I came across an absolutely beautiful stereotypical New England church in Old Bennington, but it was like 9pm, well after dark. I vowed to come back if I could find it again. Well, I did, and I was in for a surprise.

Old First Church was the first Protestant congregation in the area, what was then called the New Hampshire Grants in 1762. The present church dates from 1805. The church may have drawn me to this cemetery, but what I found behind the church was unexpected. The tomb of American poet Robert Frost. This would still be one of my all-time favorite cemeteries even without him, because simply, the view was amazing.

 

10. Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York

 

I may have saved my favorite for last. I explored this vast cemetery in Autumn, because we all know that is the best time to see cemeteries. (If you didn’t, well now you know.) I was not disappointed even though I got lost a few times.

Woodlawn is one of the largest cemeteries in New York City, covering more than 400 acres (160 ha). Its rolling hills are the final resting place of over 300,000 people, including some well-known names, such as Irving Berlin, Herman Melville and the Women’s Rights crusader and ultimate bad-ass Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Woodlawn is full of beautiful monuments and mausoleums. This is where many of the rich and famous of New York City were buried so, therefore, it is awesome.

 

Check out more awesome cemeteries in my Cemeteries and Tombs series!