Imagine Denver in 1890. Fairmount Cemetery emerges as the city’s second oldest operating cemetery. Reinhard Schuetze a German landscape architect designed it. The cemetery mirrors Mount Auburn Cemetery in Massachusetts.
Fairmount Cemetery spans 280 acres. It became the state’s largest arboretum. Over 4500 trees and shrubs were planted in its opening year. The cemetery is south-east of Alameda Avenue and Quebec Street.
Now Fairmount Cemetery isn’t just any ordinary cemetery. It’s a place teeming with life. Abundant trees birds and wildlife thrive here. Many see it as an appealing spot for a stroll a bike ride or a picnic.
You’ll find fine monuments crafted by notable artists. Robert Garrison John Paulding and Pompeo Coppini are some examples. Three structures are official historic landmarks. These are the Little Ivy Chapel the Gate Lodge and the Fairmount Mausoleum.
Henry Ten Eyck Wendell designed the Little Ivy Chapel and Gate Lodge. Both were built in 1890. Frederick E Mountjoy and Francis W Frewan designed the Fairmount Mausoleum. It was constructed in 1929 and opened in 1930.
Many leading figures rest at Fairmount. Governors US Senators and pioneers are buried here. Lou Blonger a saloonkeeper and kingpin is here. Charles Boettcher a businessman and philanthropist also rests here. William Newton Byers founder of the Rocky Mountain News is interred here.
The cemetery is a wildlife-designated area. Foxes coyotes and mule deer call it home. Migratory birds find it a resting spot.
Explore the heritage rose garden established in 1995. Joanne Cohen a Fairmount employee created it. It preserves vintage roses planted by families. Some varieties remain unknown.
The Fairmount Red is a found rose with an unknown origin. The Harison’s Yellow is believed to be the Yellow Rose of Texas. You can even buy these roses for your garden.
High Country Roses propagates and preserves these plants. They help Fairmount with its yearly rose sale.
Fairmount Cemetery also offers historical tours. The “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” tour is popular. Another tour explores the symbolism on headstones. It is called “Tales That Tombstones Tell”.
Sue Small loves cemeteries. She leads the symbolism tours. She focuses on Victorian symbolism. Fraternal organization symbols are common. Freemasons and Odd Fellows symbols can be found.
The Fairmount Heritage Foundation hosts lively events. An annual car show features classic cars. It creates a family-friendly atmosphere.
Take a picture if a symbol or name strikes you. Research it. You might be amazed by the stories you discover. Fairmount Cemetery is more than a final resting place. It’s a journey through Denver’s history. It’s a celebration of life and remembrance.