Green Lawn Cemetery -- Visiting One Of Ohio's Historical Places

Nestled in the south-end of the greater Columbus, Ohio area is a large cemetery of some significance.

- Green Lawn Cemetery -

Noted author James Thurber is buried here, as well as George W. Bush's grandfather.

At the front gate is an Ohio Historical Marker. I'll let the text from the front side give you the background of this old and fascinating burial ground.

"Landscape architect Howard Daniels designed the original portion of Green Lawn Cemetery in 1848. Noted Columbus architect Frank Packard designed Green Lawn's Chapel mausoleum, the Hayden family mausoleum, and the Packard mausoleum. Spanning over 360 acres, the cemetery's wooded setting provides a habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife. The Chapel contains stunning stained glass windows and mosaic artwork by Tiffany & Company of New York. The monuments, obelisks, and memorials throughout the cemetery represent a wealth of artwork and a history of Columbus. As one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Ohio, Green Lawn is the resting-place of many noted individuals who have made significant contributions to Columbus, Franklin County and the nation."

The Ohio Historical Marker

Once upon a time, my sweet Donna Blue Eyes worked at a nursing home located painfully close to the gates of Green Lawn. On occasions of arriving early to pick her up from work I often took slow drives through the massive grounds, ogling the varying statuary. I'd always thought of taking pictures of some of those that struck my fancy the most; and now I have done that.

Here are a few of some of the most interesting; and some of my favorites.

A few of the Congressional Medal of Honor holders:

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker

The Buffalo Soldier - The U.S. 10th Calvary unit was established by Congress on September 21, 1866 as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army. The nickname "Buffalo Soldiers" came from their enemies; the tribes they fought against during this country's Indian Wars.

Ovid Wellford Smith

I'll let the text of his historical marker tell his tale.

"In memory of Ovid Wellford Smith who is buried here. At 16, he enlisted as James Smith in the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment and volunteered for the famous Andrews Raid to destroy Confederate supply lines. The raiders captured "The General" locomotive at Big Shanty, Georgia, on April 12, 1862. Although Smith did not actually participate, he was equally recognized and received the Medal of Honor, July 6, 1864."

Green Lawn has six sections dedicated to the veterans of our various wars; including the Civil War.

Picture from the World War II section

As I mentioned before, acclaimed author, humorist, cartoonist -- contributor to "The New Yorker" -- James Thurber is buried here.

Below are some of the markers I find most interesting. I've blurred their names because despite my best efforts, I couldn't get any of them to sign a release form.

In the few forays I've made through cemeteries in the U.S. I've seen several 'woodmen' stones here and there. I was rather deflated to discover that the bearers of these markers are not lumberjacks.

Dum Tacet Clamat, "though silent he speaks"

The symbols seen on Woodmen grave markers are: the axe, wedge and maul (a.k.a., beetle, sledge), a sawn log, and of course, a stump.

Woodmen of the World was one of the first fraternal benefit societies formed in the United States. It was organized in 1890 by Joseph Cullen Root and among its social and fraternal benefits, it provided life insurance to members.

http://www.modern-woodmen.org/Public

Wikipedia's article has interesting things to say about the Woodmen of the World fraternity; although their recitation seems poorly penned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodmen_of_the_World

The Fisherman 

Here is a real favorite;

The Child Shrine

Lastly, as we were winding our way out of the grounds we saw a couple of fawns sunning themselves. Of course they moved as I got too close; and then their mom came jogging up to protect them. I wish I'd caught a picture of how she stood so perfectly tall, alternately stomping her front feet forcefully against the ground; but I was too busy backing away slowly.

My few pictures have barely grazed the variety of fascinating and interesting grave markers that fill the landscape of this massively well designed burial ground.

If you would like more information on this fascinating place I highly recommend the official web site. They have many well crafted, information laden pages.

Official Web Site for Green Lawn Cemetery -

http://www.greenlawncolumbus.org/

Wikipedia page -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lawn_Cemetery%2C_Columbus%2C_Ohio

Peace -

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23 August 2007

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Bill's Spirit is an Artist, Writer, Poet, Philosopher currently wordsmithing from a humble forge in small town Ohio.

The works of the man behind Bill's Spirit have been published in small alternative and amateur presses since 1986. Before that, they just filled notebooks, took up space on walls and gathered dust in piles and boxes.

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