RIVERSIDE CEMETERY
3607 Pearl Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44109
216.351.4800
Established: 1876
Acres: 102
Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 2 Tombstones
Having determined that the cemeteries at Monroe Street, Scranton Road and a few other small burial grounds were not sufficient to the needs of the residents of Cleveland’s west side, the wheels were set in motion to create a larger cemetery. Following the 1876 purchase of 102.5 acres of farmland from Titus N. Brainard, landscape architect E. O. Schwaegerl was retained to plan the grounds of Riverside cemetery. In short order, the first 30 acres were made ready to accept interments. With six acres of lakes, beautiful views of the Cuyahoga Valley, five miles of roadway, four bridges and a lovely Victorian Chapel, Riverside was poised to become the preeminent burial ground for Cleveland’s west side elite. Thus it was that prominent families including the Lamsons and Sessions (steel fasteners), Rhodes (coal, iron and iron-ore), Brainards (farming), Coffinberrys (law), Eastmans (founded the Cuyahoga County Library System) and others purchased spots at Riverside. The cemetery also fulfilled its larger mission to serve all people “without regard to religion, race, or background.”
Sadly, as is the case with many once-rural garden cemeteries, Riverside’s formerly bucolic acres have since been surrounded by interstates, busy roadways and urban sprawl. The bridges have come down, the lakes have been drained and smoke from Cleveland’s industrial heart can be seen on the horizon. Still, the grounds offer an oasis amidst the bustle that surrounds them.
Once past the office near the front gate, the sandstone Victorian Chapel quickly comes into view. The architectural firm of Bruch & Monks completed the Chapel in time for Riverside’s 11 November, 1876 dedication. Twenty-two years later, in 1898, architects from Steffens, Searles & Hirsh were commissioned to add three leaded glass windows, a porté cocheré at the front of the Chapel and a rear stairway to provide covered access to the receiving vault located in the basement.
The grounds at Riverside are divided by a winding drive that follows the natural slope of the terrain to the lower acreage. This area features the newer sections which hold little of interest. The connecting drive itself is the location of Riverside’s “Babyland” which, as the name implies, contains the gravesites of infants and children. These are covered in all seasons with touching gifts of candy, toys, balloons and trinkets.
A memorial to those selfless individuals who have donated their bodies to medical research is located on the south side of this same drive. The plain, grey granite marker is inscribed:
~ In Memoriam…They Gave In Death For Those In Life…Case Western Reserve University School Of Medicine 1967 ~
The upper section of the cemetery, located near the front gate, is the area you will want to concentrate your attention when visiting Riverside. This is home to a number of lovely monuments and private mausolea.
Of note is the large, regal stone lion which guards the Daykin plot. John Daykin (1829-1892) made his fortune in real estate but also spent 34 years as a train conductor. Of particular interest is the fact that Daykin was a conductor for the funeral train of President Abraham Lincoln. Daykin was also one of Riverside’s founding Trustees.
The aforementioned Lamson and Sessions families are memorialized by a lovely monument featuring a sculpted figure standing amidst four pillars which support a soaring stone steeple. At the time of its construction in 1877, this $10,000 monument was the most expensive at Riverside.
The private family mausoleum of Schlather Brewing Company’s Leonard Schlather was built in 1882. The truly ornate structure resembles a small church and features stone spires, copper roof and gutters, incredible stonework details including two circular stone medallions to either side of the front door archway and elaborate ornamental black grillwork which bars access to the crypt doors.
A similarly captivating mausoleum is marked by a white cross set into its sandstone façade. It is inscribed: JJ Cartright 1879. Like the Schlather mausoleum, it resembles a small church and is accented with exquisite stonework detailing.
In our estimation, the most unique tombstone at Riverside belongs to Magdalena Fredericks, wife of Fred Woehrle. Although her date of birth is not noted on the monument, it does tell us she died at the age of 75 on the 8th of October, 1901. What we assume to be a life-sized image of Magdalena herself has been sculpted in stone. Dressed in a floor length gown with a high collar, she clutches a book in her left hand while her right draws a shawl across her breast. The most remarkable feature of the image, though, is Magdalena’s face. From a distance, she appears stern and seems to be scowling. Upon closer examination, however, her countenance takes on a softer look. There is something poignant and almost sad in her gaze.
Though not inordinately large, the older section of Riverside has quite a collection of lovely stones, monuments and mausolea. We passed a couple of enjoyable hours in exploration and encourage you to do likewise if in the area.
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3607 Pearl Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44109
216.351.4800
Established: 1876
Acres: 102
Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 2 Tombstones
Having determined that the cemeteries at Monroe Street, Scranton Road and a few other small burial grounds were not sufficient to the needs of the residents of Cleveland’s west side, the wheels were set in motion to create a larger cemetery. Following the 1876 purchase of 102.5 acres of farmland from Titus N. Brainard, landscape architect E. O. Schwaegerl was retained to plan the grounds of Riverside cemetery. In short order, the first 30 acres were made ready to accept interments. With six acres of lakes, beautiful views of the Cuyahoga Valley, five miles of roadway, four bridges and a lovely Victorian Chapel, Riverside was poised to become the preeminent burial ground for Cleveland’s west side elite. Thus it was that prominent families including the Lamsons and Sessions (steel fasteners), Rhodes (coal, iron and iron-ore), Brainards (farming), Coffinberrys (law), Eastmans (founded the Cuyahoga County Library System) and others purchased spots at Riverside. The cemetery also fulfilled its larger mission to serve all people “without regard to religion, race, or background.”
Sadly, as is the case with many once-rural garden cemeteries, Riverside’s formerly bucolic acres have since been surrounded by interstates, busy roadways and urban sprawl. The bridges have come down, the lakes have been drained and smoke from Cleveland’s industrial heart can be seen on the horizon. Still, the grounds offer an oasis amidst the bustle that surrounds them.
Once past the office near the front gate, the sandstone Victorian Chapel quickly comes into view. The architectural firm of Bruch & Monks completed the Chapel in time for Riverside’s 11 November, 1876 dedication. Twenty-two years later, in 1898, architects from Steffens, Searles & Hirsh were commissioned to add three leaded glass windows, a porté cocheré at the front of the Chapel and a rear stairway to provide covered access to the receiving vault located in the basement.
The grounds at Riverside are divided by a winding drive that follows the natural slope of the terrain to the lower acreage. This area features the newer sections which hold little of interest. The connecting drive itself is the location of Riverside’s “Babyland” which, as the name implies, contains the gravesites of infants and children. These are covered in all seasons with touching gifts of candy, toys, balloons and trinkets.
A memorial to those selfless individuals who have donated their bodies to medical research is located on the south side of this same drive. The plain, grey granite marker is inscribed:
~ In Memoriam…They Gave In Death For Those In Life…Case Western Reserve University School Of Medicine 1967 ~
The upper section of the cemetery, located near the front gate, is the area you will want to concentrate your attention when visiting Riverside. This is home to a number of lovely monuments and private mausolea.
Of note is the large, regal stone lion which guards the Daykin plot. John Daykin (1829-1892) made his fortune in real estate but also spent 34 years as a train conductor. Of particular interest is the fact that Daykin was a conductor for the funeral train of President Abraham Lincoln. Daykin was also one of Riverside’s founding Trustees.
The aforementioned Lamson and Sessions families are memorialized by a lovely monument featuring a sculpted figure standing amidst four pillars which support a soaring stone steeple. At the time of its construction in 1877, this $10,000 monument was the most expensive at Riverside.
The private family mausoleum of Schlather Brewing Company’s Leonard Schlather was built in 1882. The truly ornate structure resembles a small church and features stone spires, copper roof and gutters, incredible stonework details including two circular stone medallions to either side of the front door archway and elaborate ornamental black grillwork which bars access to the crypt doors.
A similarly captivating mausoleum is marked by a white cross set into its sandstone façade. It is inscribed: JJ Cartright 1879. Like the Schlather mausoleum, it resembles a small church and is accented with exquisite stonework detailing.
In our estimation, the most unique tombstone at Riverside belongs to Magdalena Fredericks, wife of Fred Woehrle. Although her date of birth is not noted on the monument, it does tell us she died at the age of 75 on the 8th of October, 1901. What we assume to be a life-sized image of Magdalena herself has been sculpted in stone. Dressed in a floor length gown with a high collar, she clutches a book in her left hand while her right draws a shawl across her breast. The most remarkable feature of the image, though, is Magdalena’s face. From a distance, she appears stern and seems to be scowling. Upon closer examination, however, her countenance takes on a softer look. There is something poignant and almost sad in her gaze.
Though not inordinately large, the older section of Riverside has quite a collection of lovely stones, monuments and mausolea. We passed a couple of enjoyable hours in exploration and encourage you to do likewise if in the area.
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