Resting peacefully on Mulberry Street stands Hillside Cemetery. A beautiful landscape designed by the renowned Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted. These two also designed Central Park. Hillside Cemetery opened in 1861. It followed the rural cemetery style popular at the time.
Hillside Cemetery is more than just a resting place. It’s a historical landmark. It showcases exquisite examples of 19th-century funerary art. Many prominent Middletown citizens are buried here. Three Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War are among them. One former congressman also rests within its grounds. The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
The cemetery’s 52 acres are a testament to thoughtful design. The gently sloping hills are carefully sculpted. The winding roads meander through the grounds. A serene pond sits near the top of the property. Mature trees provide shade and tranquility. Originally there were two ponds. One has been drained. A Gothic Revival stone office building once stood at the entrance. It’s now a contributing resource to the National Register listing. The building is no longer used. Administrative functions are now handled in a more modern building. Various mausolea and memorials are scattered throughout the cemetery.
Notable burials include those of several war heroes. For instance Thomas D Collins a sergeant who captured a Confederate flag at the Battle of Resaca. He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery. Nathan Mullock Hallock another Medal of Honor recipient saved a disabled officer under heavy fire. Lewis Wisner a first lieutenant who bravely exposed himself to enemy fire at Spotsylvania Court House also rests here. He too earned the Medal of Honor. Moses D Stivers served one term as a US Representative from 1889 to 1891. He is also buried at Hillside.
Hillside Cemetery is a fascinating blend of nature and history. It’s a place of reflection and remembrance. A place where the stories of the past continue to resonate. It’s a true treasure within Middletown. Take your time. Explore its beauty and contemplate its history.