the History of Cleveland's Lake View Cemetery
Nestled in the heart of Cleveland, Lake View Cemetery is a place where history intertwines with the supernatural. This hallowed ground isn't just a final resting place; it's an outdoor museum full of stories waiting to be uncovered. Whether you're a history buff, a tombstone tourist, or a paranormal enthusiast, Lake View Cemetery offers a journey through time and the unknown.
Lake View Cemetery’s Historical Significance
Step into the shadowy past of Lake View Cemetery, where history and mystery walk hand in hand. Founded in 1869 by Jeptha Wade and other prominent Cleveland figures, this cemetery was designed to be more than just a burial ground. It was a vision of beauty and serenity, inspired by the Victorian-era garden cemetery movement.
The cemetery's history is marked by significant events that echo through time. Imagine the first automobile funeral procession in 1903, a sight that must have seemed otherworldly to onlookers. During World War II, the cemetery's grounds transformed into Victory Gardens, a testament to the community's resilience.
Get The Free Cemetery Scavenger Hunt!
Play with friends and family while learning some history!
The Haunting Natural Beauty
Lake View Cemetery isn't just an eternal resting place; it's a hauntingly beautiful landscape that beckons the curious. Imagine 285 acres of rolling hills, where ancient trees whisper secrets to the wind. The air is thick with the scent of blooming flowers, mingling with the earthy aroma of old stone and damp leaves.
In the Spring, Daffodil Hill bursts into life, a sea of yellow daffodils brightens the landscape and beckons warmer weather. As the leaves change colors in the fall, the cemetery transforms again, with vibrant reds and oranges painting a fiery backdrop against the gravestones. It's a place where nature and history entwine, creating an eerie, yet serene, atmosphere.
What other cemetery can boast having its own dam? The Lake View Cemetery Dam was built in 1978 and is 89 feet high and 529 feet wide. It protects the properties and residents of East Cleveland from flooding of the West Branch of the Dugway Brook.
Key Architectural Landmarks
Lake View Cemetery is a realm of architectural marvels, each with its own ghostly tale to tell. Wander through the landmarks, and you'll feel the weight of history pressing in around you.
photo by Tim Evanston / CC 2.0
photo by Ray Curtis / CC 4.0
Wade Memorial Chapel: Designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, this chapel is a jewel box of art and spirituality. The stained glass and mosaics depict “The Voyage of Life,” a journey that feels eerily fitting in this place of rest. The Wade Chapel was built in memory of Jeptha Wade, founder of Western Union and Lake View Cemetery.
Haserot Angel: The Haserot Angel, officially named “The Angel of Death Victorious,” was created by sculptor Herman Matzen in 1924, the angel is a life-sized bronze statue that holds an extinguished torch upside-down, symbolizing a life snuffed out. The statue's most haunting feature is its black “tears,” formed by the natural oxidation of the bronze over time, giving the impression that the angel is weeping.
Merritt-Mervine Memorial: A striking, heartwrenching grave marker that captures the essence of grief and love. The angel hunched over in sorrow with bronze wings extended towards heaven. Nathaniel “Nate” Carpenter Merritt-Mervine passed away in 2018 from a rare cancer at age 40 and the statue was commissioned by his wife, Leah. A dog's face peeks out from under the angel's skirts paying tribute to Nate's eternal love for his dog, Ruby.
Notable Interments
Lake View Cemetery is a who's who of the past, where the famous and infamous find their eternal rest. Each grave tells a story, some whispered, some shouted through the ages.
John D Rockefeller: The infamous titan of industry and founder of Standard Oil is buried here as well. A tall obelisk reaching towards heaven marks his final resting place. His wealth was vast, but in death, he was just another soul among many. His understated grave marker is a testament to the fleeting nature of fortune.
Eliot Ness: The prohibition officer who famously took down gangster Al Capone. Ness was the Safety Director of Cleveland from 1935 to 1938. A large humble rock with a name plaque serves as his cenotaph because his ashes were scattered in one of Lake View's ponds.
Cenotaph
A tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person or group of persons whose remains are elsewhere.
Francis Payne Bolton: was a prominent female politician and philanthropist and served as the first woman to represent Ohio in Congress. She served as a U.S. Congresswoman for Ohio from 1940 to 1968, making significant contributions to health care and education legislation. She was also instrumental in advocating for the establishment of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.
Paranormal Activity
Lake View Cemetery is a beautiful playground for the supernatural. Whispers of ghostly apparitions and eerie occurrences have long shrouded this historic site in mystery.
courtesy of Ray Curtis / CC 4.0
One of the most famous specters is that of President Garfield himself. Visitors have reported seeing his ghost wandering near his grand memorial as if he's still keeping watch over the grounds. Some say they've felt a sudden chill or heard faint whispers when standing near his statue, adding to the cemetery's eerie atmosphere.
Then there's the exquisitely ominous Haserot Angel. Legend has it that the angel moves or cries real tears at night. Some visitors claim to have seen its eyes follow them or felt an inexplicable sense of sorrow when standing before it.
photo by Tim Evanson / CC 2.0
The Wade Memorial Chapel also has its share of ghostly tales. Some say they've seen shadowy figures or heard soft, mournful music from within, even when the chapel is empty. The chapel's serene beauty contrasts sharply with the unsettling feeling that you're never truly alone.
Eliot Ness is another restless spirit who is said to haunt the cemetery. His ashes were scattered in one of the lakes, and some visitors have reported seeing a ghostly figure near the water, perhaps still on the lookout for bootleggers.
Lake View Cemetery's blend of historical significance and paranormal activity makes it a magnet for those intrigued by the unknown. Each visit promises a brush with the past and, just maybe, a glimpse of the otherworldly.
visiting Lake View Cemetery
Lake View Cemetery isn't just a place to visit; it's an experience. The cemetery offers a variety of tours and events that let you delve into its eerie past and supernatural present.
Historical tours take you through the lives of the notable figures buried here, while architectural tours showcase the stunning monuments and chapels. Trolly tours allow you to relax while guides entertain you with cemetery history and tales, but they are offered on a limited basis and sell out very quickly. Complimentary Self-guided walking and mobile tour options are available.
If you want to visit a particular grave, you can search the cemetery's burial records and map of the location info.
Find a Grave can also help while in Lake View Cemetery.
Special events are held throughout the year including Bat Night and Owl Prowl. Both events allow guests to learn about the birds and then stroll through Lake View to spot the animals in the wild. Twilight Tours: Disasters, Tragedies, and Darker Turns are offered in October.
Lake View Cemetery is more than just a final resting place; it's a journey through time, art, and the supernatural. From its historical significance and architectural marvels to its eerie legends and ghostly tales, this cemetery offers a unique experience that lingers long after you leave.
Whether you're drawn by the stories of notable figures, the beauty of the landscape, or the whispers of the paranormal, Lake View Cemetery invites you to explore its secrets and reflect on the mysteries of life and death. As you wander its hallowed grounds, you'll find that every corner holds a story, waiting to be discovered by those brave enough to listen.
Have you visited Lake View Cemetery? I would love to hear about your visit. Drop me a message! And don't forget to subscribe to the Spooky Traveling newsletter to keep up to date on the latest dark adventure. Stay weird, Spooky friend!
