Allegheny West in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Laurel Hill Cemetery

1836

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2024

1. Laurel Hill Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Laurel Hill Cemetery was founded in 1836 as a nonsectarian alternative to Philadelphia's crowded, inner-city churchyards of the early nineteenth century. Intended for use by the living, as well as the dead, the cemetery's design takes advantage of scenic Schuylkill River vistas, supported by the addition of winding paths and rare horticultural specimens. The work of noted sculptors and architects such as Alexander Milne Calder, Harriet Frishmuth and Thomas Ustick Walter adorn the grounds, which are consecrated by the remains of notables including General George Gordon Meade, Frank Furness, Thomas Sully, David Rittenhouse and Harry Kalas. In 1998, Laurel Hill became the first cemetery in the United States to be honored as a National Historic Landmark, and today remains true to its original purpose as an educational, recreational and aesthetic public resource.

Erected by Museum Without Walls. (Marker Number 62.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is

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included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 39° 59.986′ N, 75° 11.44′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Allegheny West. It is at the intersection of Kelly Drive and West Hunting Park Avenue (County Road 3033), on the right when traveling south on Kelly Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Retreat for the Living (within shouting distance of this marker); A Garden For The Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Laurel Hill Cemetery (within

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2024

2. Laurel Hill Cemetery Marker

The southwest edge of Laurel Hill Cemetery can be seen in the distance on the left.

shouting distance of this marker); Capt. Henry J. Biddle (within shouting distance of this marker); Benj. H. Hodgson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rear Admiral John Adolphus Bernard Dahlgren (approx. ¼ mile away); Commercial Digital Computer Birthplace (approx. ¼ mile away); Hector Tyndale (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.