Woodlawn Cemetery: Bronx, New York

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The New York Public Library. “Plate 17: Map of the Woodlawn Cemetery, incorporated December 29th, 1863.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1868. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e2-13c0-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Woodlawn Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in New York City and a designated National Historic Landmark (added to the list on 23 Jun 2011). The cemetery was opened during the Civil War in 1863 in what was then southern Westchester County. The area was annexed to New York City in 1874. 

Per their website: https://www.thewoodlawncemetery.org/history/

Established in 1863, Woodlawn is an active, 400-acre non-sectarian cemetery. An oasis in an urban setting, more than 310,000 individuals are interred on its grounds and it attracts over 100,000 visitors from around the world each year.

Recognized as one of America’s most historically significant properties, Woodlawn was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2011, joining a rarified roster of 2500 sites nationwide. Described by the National Parks Service as “a popular final resting place for the famous and powerful,” the cemetery is distinguished by memorials that “represent the largest and finest collection of funerary art in the country.”

Woodlawn was established by a group of prominent New Yorkers who envisioned a burial ground easily accessible from Manhattan. It is designed in the landscape-lawn style popular after the Civil War, which emphasizes the relationship between landscape and classical architecture. Its curvilinear road system provides views of large, singular monuments on family plots and circular lots. Propelled by location, clientele, and unprecedented wealth, Woodlawn rapidly grew to become the outdoor showplace of distinctive masterworks you see today.

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The New York Times
New York, New York
10 Apr 1864, Sun  •  Page 7
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New York Daily Herald
New York, New York
01 Sep 1864, Thu  •  Page 7
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The New York Times
New York, New York
25 Nov 1865, Sat  •  Page 6
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New York Daily Herald
New York, New York
02 May 1866, Wed  •  Page 12
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The New York Times
New York, New York
05 Feb 1867, Tue  •  Page 8
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The Sun
New York, New York
14 Oct 1867, Mon  •  Page 1
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The New York Times
New York, New York
21 Mar 1869, Sun  •  Page 8
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New York Herald
New York, New York
03 Jun 1872, Mon  •  Page 6
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New York Daily Herald
New York, New York
20 May 1871, Sat  •  Page 8
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New-York Tribune
New York, New York
31 May 1871, Wed  •  Page 8
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The New York Herald
New York, New York
17 Jul 1871, Mon  •  Page 4

Noted cemetery website: In 1882, Jay Gould, the infamous financier, purchased the largest lot in the cemetery and proceeded to build what was considered the finest mausoleum of the day. Gould’s project was publicized in a variety of publications, inspiring many entrepreneurs to construct family tombs at Woodlawn. Huntington, Dodge, Bostwick, Webb, and Warner are among the hundreds of self made millionaires who commissioned mausolea that reflected their tastes and travel, incorporated work by celebrated sculptors, and artisans and celebrated their role in New York society. Greek temples, Egyptian pyramids and French chapels were built by the late 19th celebrities who became famous for grand mansions in Manhattan, extravagant Newport “cottages,” and waterfront estates on Long Island’s Gold Coast.

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The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn, New York
02 Dec 1892, Fri  •  Page 1
Jay Gould (1836-1892) American financier c. 1890.
Obituary for CHARLES HENRY ADAMS -
New-York Tribune
New York, New York
16 Dec 1902, Tue  •  Page 9
James Anthony Bailey

Circus Showman. Along with Phineas T. Barnum, he helped found Barnum and Bailey Circus, which became known as “The Greatest Show On Earth”. In 1872, he partner with Philadelphian James E, Cooper to form “Cooper and Bailey’s Circus”, and toured the United States, Java, New Zealand and South America. In 1873 Cooper died and James Bailey soon joined up with Barnum. They toured for several years until Barnum died in 1891. Bailey took over the circus the same year and it made several triumphant trips around the world under his leadership. In 1906 he died and the circus company soon became part of the Ringling Brothers Company. It is known to this day as the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

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The New York Times
New York, New York
12 Apr 1906, Thu  •  Page 1

Notable Burials At Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx NY:

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