W ith miles of Lake Erie coastline and 23,000 acres of parks, there are plenty of options for outdoor fun in Cleveland. One unique destination involves beautiful landscapes and a roster of famous residents in an unlikely setting. From Tiffany glass mosaics to the founder of rock and roll, there are many reasons to visit Lake View Cemetery.
Cemetery History
Lake View Cemetery stretches over 285 acres of land on Cleveland’s East side. It was founded in 1869 as a garden cemetery, an impeccably landscaped park for the living to congregate in as well as the dead. It was a popular resting place for Gilded Age families, and visitors still admire their ornately sculpted memorials today.
The James A. Garfield Memorial
President Garfield was born in nearby Moreland Hills, Ohio. He served as a Civil War Major General and congressman before being elected President in 1881. He was shot four months after being sworn in, and he died in office.
The stately Garfield Monument was designed by George Keller and built on the highest point in the cemetery. After it was dedicated 1890, it was so popular that the memorial had to start charging tickets to visit in order to control the crowds!
The Berea Sandstone building features life-size, terra-cotta panels depicting scenes from Garfield’s life and death. Inside, the richly appointed Memorial Hall is fit for a president. Take in the granite and marble, gold mosaics, and the stained-glass windows depicting the original 13 colonies plus Ohio. Downstairs in the crypt, Garfield’s casket is the only US Presidential casket on full display.
One of the best sights in the cemetery is from the top of the 180-foot Garfield Memorial. Take 64 stairs up from the lobby and enjoy the views of the Cleveland skyline and Lake Erie.
Wade Memorial Chapel
Another beautiful resting place is Wade Memorial Chapel. It was built in 1901 in memory of Jeptha Wade, founder of the Western Union Telegraph Company. The Neo-Classical chapel set along a tranquil lake is pretty enough on the outside. Yet inside, this unassuming building is hiding one of the few remaining interiors that was totally designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studios.
The stunning interior is themed “The Voyage of Life.” The centerpiece is a colorful Tiffany stained glass window depicting The Flight of Souls created by layering glass using the “Favrile” method. Gleaming Tiffany mosaics symbolize the Old Testament and New Testament on opposite walls. The chapel still provides a gorgeous setting for reflection and special events today.
Other Famous Residents
There are over 100,000 people buried in Lake View Cemetery, and more than a few have famous names.
The richest man in the world, Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller, lived in Cleveland and is buried in Lake View Cemetery. HIs 65-foot Vermont granite monument was so heavy that the railroad had to design and build special cars to transport it. Visitors often leave coins on the monument as a reminder that Rockefeller used to hand out dimes to children.
A jukebox-shaped grave stone marks the resting place of Alan Freed. The Cleveland disc jockey officially coined the term “rock and roll” to describe the R&B music was helping popularize on the radio, and he held the first ever rock concert in 1952.
In Cleveland, Eliot Ness isn’t just the name of a beer. After taking down Al Capone in Chicago, Ness served as Cleveland’s Safety Director from 1935-42.
Cleveland native Harvey Pekar was a comic book writer best known for his “American Splendor” series. Fans often leave pens in tribute at his grave and take inspiration from the inscription: “Life is about women, gigs, and bein’ creative.”
The Haserot Angel
One of the cemetery’s most famous memorials is also one of the most mysterious. Francis Henry Haserot was a German expat who settled in Cleveland and founded a canning business that’s still in operation today. The Haserot Angel was sculpted by Herman Matzen in 1924 to watch over the Haserot family plot. Yet this ethereal guard is more foreboding than cherubic. Her name is “The Angel of Death Victorious.”
The commanding, life-size green statue is seated upon a marble throne. With outstretched wings, she holds un upside-down torch that represents the flame of life extinguished. Her most striking feature are her eyes, which gaze straight ahead and appear to be weeping tears down her face and gown. Death has conquered life, but she will forever haunt the grave.
The angel’s tears have been the cause of several spooky rumors. Some visitors claim to see the angel move or cry. The most likely explanation for her tears is the effects of discoloration and condensation on her aging bronze patina over the decades.
The melancholic angel is a favorite with photographers and haunted story enthusiasts. As for Danish sculptor Herman Matzen? He’s also buried in Lake View Cemetery. Perhaps his angel watches over his grave as well.
Daffodil Hill
Spring is an especially beautiful time to visit the Lake View Cemetery. In addition to the many blooming flowers and trees, there is an entire section of daffodils to admire. During March and April, Daffodil Hill springs to life with 100,000 daffodils in bloom. Stroll the sea of yellow daffodils along Woodhill, Summit, and Foothill Roads.
A Dam Good Secret
This last secret was unknown to me until my most recent visit to the cemetery. While I was making my way to the exit, a massive dam appeared within the cemetery! The Lake View Cemetery Dam was built along Dugway Brooke in 1978 to prevent downstream flooding. At 89 feet tall and 500 feet wide, it was the largest dam of its kind east of the Mississippi River when it was built. The concrete colossus can even be seen in the film Captain America: Winter Soldier.
Visiting Lake View Cemetery
Lake View Cemetery is open every day of the year. The hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. from November through March, and 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. from April through October. Parking spaces and bike racks are provided.
There’s more to do at Lake View Cemetery than admire the graves. Check their events calendar to attend an upcoming 5K race, concert, or tour.
Need more ideas for fun things to do in Cleveland?
Lake View Cemetery
12316 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106
Sources
- “Alan Freed.” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1 Jan. 1986.
- Dorwart, Laura. “Why This Cleveland Statue Is Crying.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 18 Apr. 2018.
- “Famous People.” Lake View Cemetery, Lake View Cemetery.
- “Lake View Cemetery.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
- “James A. Garfield Memorial.” Lake View Cemetery, Lake View Cemetery.
- “The Haserot Angel – Frightening Bronze Sculpture.” Sculpture Solutions.
- Rudder, Jon. “Hidden Gem: Lake View Cemetery Has a Secret.” WEWS, 26 Apr. 2019.
- “Wade Memorial Chapel.” Lake View Cemetery, Lake View Cemetery
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
