Laurel Hill Cemetery

Distressed by the state of his daughter’s burial site, John Jay Smith envisioned something different for Philadelphia. He dreamed of a peaceful, dignified resting place, a far cry from the crowded, swampy graveyards of the city. This dream blossomed into Laurel Hill Cemetery. Laurel Hill Cemetery opened in 1836. It became a pioneer in the rural cemetery movement in the United States, second only to Mount Auburn Cemetery in Boston. Laurel Hill Cemetery wasn’t just a burial ground. It was designed as a public space, a place for reflection and appreciation of art and nature. Architect John Notman sculpted the landscape. He used the natural slopes down to the Schuylkill River to create a series of terraces. These terraces became home to elaborate monuments and mausoleums, commissioned by wealthy families and designed by prominent artists. Laurel Hill Cemetery became a showcase of funerary art. Styles ranged from Classical Revival to Gothic and Egyptian, all crafted from marble, granite, cast iron, and sandstone. Beyond the artistry, Laurel Hill Cemetery boasts a rich history. To establish its prestige, the cemetery’s founders relocated the remains of several Revolutionary War heroes. Figures like Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress, and Thomas McKean, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, found their final resting place at Laurel Hill. The cemetery also became the burial ground of choice for prominent Philadelphians. Industrialists like Matthias W. Baldwin and Henry Disston, whose names still resonate in the city today, rest within its grounds. The cemetery’s popularity soared in the 19th century, drawing thousands of visitors annually. It served as a cultural hub in a time before public parks and museums were common. This popularity led to several expansions, eventually bringing Laurel Hill Cemetery to its current size of around 74 acres. Even fictional characters have found a home at Laurel Hill. Tombstones for Adrian Balboa and Paulie Pennino from the Rocky films stand near the main gate. These serve as a quirky reminder of the cemetery’s role in popular culture. Today, Laurel Hill Cemetery stands as a testament to changing attitudes towards death and remembrance. It is a place of beauty, history, and reflection, overlooking the Schuylkill River.