Greendale Cemetery


The Greendale Cemetery, in Meadville, Pennsylvania is a publicly owned, non-profit rural cemetery. Many notable people, including a Supreme Court Justice, several congressmen, soldiers, and inventors are interred in the cemetery.
WWW Official Site

History

As early as 1788, in the year in which he founded the town that now bears his name, David Mead recognized the need to establish a local burial ground. In 1811, he deeded land at the present day corner of Randolph Street and Park Avenue to the Presbyterian Church. In 1813, it was enclosed by a fence. At that time, it cost $0.50 to bury an adult, $0.25 for a child, and $1.00 for a "stranger."
By the middle of the nineteenth century, the limited size of the cemetery and its location in the middle of the growing downtown district prompted the relocation of the burial ground. Several leading citizens of the community agreed to take on the task and arranged for the purchase of land parcels at the end of Randolph Street, some in Meadville itself and many in what is now West Mead Township. They were successful, and the new grounds were incorporated as the Meadville Cemetery.
On March 11, 1852, the remains in the Randolph Street Cemetery were disinterred and moved to the present-day location. Though they were placed in one large grave, the individual grave markers were also moved and may be found in a central section of Greendale.
In 1853, the area was renamed as Greendale Cemetery, and was designated as both a park and a burial ground. Though a municipal project, it had been created by private citizens for the community. In accordance with Pennsylvania law and its charter, it was to be administered by an independent board of corporators and managers elected by that board and operate on a non-profit basis as a service to area residents.
An archway was built at the cemetery's entrance in 1865 at a cost of $315. In 1874, a receiving vault was erected for $2,100. In 1875, the house originally built for the sexton in 1856 was moved within the gated area and designated the superintendent's home.
Herman Munz was hired in 1875 to plant the grounds. Today more than fifteen hundred rhododendrons decorate the grounds.
The cemetery offers lantern tours of the site during the month of October.

Notable burials