Comments on: Detroit History Tour: Woodlawn Cemetery

By: amy

amy — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:49:08 +0000

Kerry, thanks for the tip! What a fascinating story – I can’t wait to pay him a visit next time I go to Woodlawn.

By the way – I saw you speak at Stevens T. Mason’s reburial last October. What a great event!

By: Kerry Chartkoff

Kerry Chartkoff — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:46:57 +0000

I enjoy your blog. I would like to add that Woodlawn is also the final resting place for one of the Gilded Age’s greatest architects, Detroit’s own Elijah E. Myers. Myers was once one of the most prolific architects in America, designing buildings from coast to coast. Although he designed everything from private homes to courthouses to hospitals to jails, he is best remembered for state capitols: he designed more than any other architect in American history. The Michigan State Capitol was his first capitol commission and brought him to national attention. His burial place (he died virtually bankrupt in 1909) was unknown for many years, but was recently discovered in Woodlawn. In 2009, to mark the centennial of his death, a plaque describing his accomplishments was placed on his headstone. An identical plaque was mounted on the wall in his masterpiece in Lansing, the Michigan State Capitol.

By: amy

amy — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:34:21 +0000

Greg – Amazing! I did not know about the underground crypts in the mausoleum. Thanks for reading & sharing!

By: Greg R.

Greg R. — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:23:00 +0000

I have a Great Uncle, Great Aunt, A Cousin, A Great Great Uncle and Aunt buried in the huge Mausoleum at Woodlawn. I have taken many family members and friends back there to visit. They are always so surprised when we board the elevator to go down to see Great Uncle Charlie and Aunt Bertha under ground. They also are impressed by the beautiful private chaples with stained glass windows and furniture from our old family home still there! I also have 4 generations of family including my Dear Grandmother buried at Elmwood, Downtown Detroit. Both places have always brought me great comfort and pride. I’m happy to say that in recent years there have been many repairs and upkeep to Elmwood which in the early 80′s was showing much ware. It’s beautiful once again! Greg

By: Nathan B.

Nathan B. — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:15:06 +0000

I also live adjacent to Woodlawn. Quietest neighbors around.

It’s neat being so close to so much history, and cemeteries have never bothered me. Guests sometimes get pretty unnerved when they discover they’re 50 ft. from grave sites. I like seeing the people visiting or attending ceremonies. Our favorite was a rowdy group of bikers. There was nothing sad about that funeral.

Nice blog. I just discovered it and am glad you included Woodlawn in your Detroit cemeteries tour.

By: Detroit History Tour: Woodmere Cemetery | The Night Train

Detroit History Tour: Woodmere Cemetery | The Night Train — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:39:47 +0000

[...] is part of Detroit’s clutch of historic rural cemeteries. (See also Woodlawn and Elmwood.) It’s on Fort Street in Del Ray. The cemetery was founded in 1867 by a cabal of [...]

By: amy

amy — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:06:48 +0000

Millionaire’s Pond! I love it.

Woodlawn really is a beautiful place, although I can imagine the feelings of discord it might create to live right behind it. Even though I’m getting used to spending time in cemeteries, I still feel edgy when I first pass through those gates. It’s a strange border to cross over, you know?

I’m really glad you found the blog! Thanks for saying hello!

By: Amy Kuras

Amy Kuras — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:27:54 +0000

Duh. Made my earlier comment before I saw this. That pond is called “Millionaire’s Pond” and the willows that ring it are visible from the rear upstairs window of my house, which makes for pretty scenery. And those geese occasionally migrate over the fence — one of our neighbors used to feed them although I’d beg him not to.

It took awhile to get used to living next to a cemetery. We’re separated by a fence and grapevines that screen the view, but we can still catch glimpses of and hear people and they can hear us. Our first Memorial Day here, about a month after we moved in, it felt so strange to be barbecuing and having a beer while people were decorating graves just a few yards away, and sometimes I see people obviously grieving while I’m outside playing with my kids, which is a strange juxtaposition. For the most part, though, I’m so happy we chose this location and love having such a beautiful, peaceful place bordering our backyard.

By: amy

amy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:31:35 +0000

Ha! I actually found my boots, which got buried somewhere, somehow, during the move from Milwaukee. I was able to wear them exactly once before the weather got nice and all of the snow melted.

But yeah, it’s a lot easier to do this kind of work when it’s nice out. And in a couple of months it will be hard again when it’s too hot and humid.

By: Christina

Christina — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:05:54 +0000

I’m just glad it’s spring in these pictures. If I had to watch you traipse through yet another snowy cemetery trying to catch your death, I was going to collect spare change to buy you winter boots!