Allegheny West in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Garden For The Dead
Laurel Hill Cemetery
Photographed By Russell Galen, October 14, 2018
1. A Garden For The Dead Marker
Inscription.
A Garden For The Dead. Laurel Hill Cemetery. A grieving father, John Jay Smith went to visit the grave of his daughter in Center City. He could not find it in the over-crowded churchyard and became determined to create a rural cemetery. Founded in 1836, Laurel Hill Cemetery was designed to be different from the start. It was to be a place located outside of the city, with a beautiful landscape and no religious affiliation. Laurel Hill was to be a peaceful place for the dead to rest and for the living to enjoy. Laurel Hill's scenic site was established over 20 years before New York's Central Park. Picnics, horse-drawn carriage rides, walks and sightseers tours were popular activities during its early days. Today the 78 acre Cemetery is visited daily by historians, artists, researchers, dog-walkers, runners, cyclists, and sightseers.
A grieving father, John Jay Smith went to visit the grave of his daughter in Center City. He could not find it in the over-crowded churchyard and became determined to create a rural cemetery. Founded in 1836, Laurel Hill Cemetery was designed to be different from the start. It was to be a place located outside of the city, with a beautiful landscape and no religious affiliation. Laurel Hill was to be a peaceful place for the dead to rest and for the living to enjoy.
Laurel Hill's scenic site was established over 20 years before New York's Central Park. Picnics, horse-drawn carriage rides, walks and sightseers tours were popular activities during its early days. Today the 78 acre Cemetery is visited daily by historians, artists, researchers, dog-walkers, runners, cyclists, and sightseers.
Location. 39° 59.991′ N, 75° 11.422′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Allegheny West. Marker is on Kelly Drive near Kelly Drive and West Hunting Park Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19132, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Retreat for the Living (here, next to this marker); Laurel Hill Cemetery (a few steps from this marker);
Drawn from nature by Aug. Kölllner ; lith. by Deroy ; printed by Cattier (courtesy of LOC), 1848
3. Philadelphia Laurel-Hill Cemetery
Print showing path leading to gatehouse entrance to cemetery, designed by John Notman, with cemetery, superintendent's house, and chapel behind it; two men ride horses on road in foreground. - Library of Congress
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2018, by Russell Galen of Lambertville, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2018, by Russell Galen of Lambertville, New Jersey. 3. submitted on October 14, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
