Eastside Historic Cemetery District in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Elmwood Cemetery
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 13, 2009
1. Elmwood Cemetery Marker
In 1846 when this was a farm on the outskirts of Detroit, a group of gentlemen formed a corporation and purchased the land for use as a public cemetery. The trustees patterned the grounds after Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and utilized the ideas of famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Parent's Creek, renamed Bloody Run after the battle fought between Pontiac and the British in 1763, serves as the focus in the informal country garden landscape. Albert and Octavius Jordon designed the handsome Gothic Revival Chapel, which opened for services in 1856. The chapel's limestone walls blend into the natural ravine and tree-lined paths. Famous people buried here include General Russell Alger, geologist Douglass Houghton, and Territorial Governor Lewis Cass.
Erected 1976 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number 453.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.
Location. 42° 20.734′ N, 83° 1.075′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in the Eastside Historic
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Michigan's Oldest Jewish Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Michigan Colored Regiment (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Players (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Battle of Bloody Run (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elizabeth Denison Forth (approx. 0.4 miles away); WGPR-TV (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. John's Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Black Presence in Detroit (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.
More about this marker. This marker is located just inside of the front entrance of Elmwood Cemetery, and immediately behind the cemetery grounds office building. To get there from downtown Detroit, travel east on East Jefferson Avenue until you reach McDougall Street, where you will then need to turn left (north) onto McDougall Street. From there drive north on McDougall Street for two blocks and just after the intersection with Lafayette Street, Mcdougall Street turns into Robert Bradby Drive. From this point the entrance to the cemetery is about 350 feet north and on your right.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 13, 2009
2. Elmwood Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 13, 2009
3. Elmwood Cemetery
View of the stream called "Bloody Run" that is the focus of the lanscaping at Elmwood Cemetery.
Photographed By Marc Posner, October 26, 2019
4. Alger Mausoleum
Photographed By Marc Posner, October 26, 2019
5. Fred "Sonic" Smith tombstone
Smith was the bassist for the MC5.
Photographed By Marc Posner, October 26, 2019
6. Thomson Jay Hudson tombstone
Author of "The Law of Physic Phenomena"
Feb. 22, 1834 - May 26, 1903
"How can he be dead who lives immortal in the hearts of men?"
Feb. 22, 1834 - May 26, 1903
"How can he be dead who lives immortal in the hearts of men?"
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,521 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 23, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
