GREEN LAWN ABBEY
700 Greenlawn Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.602.2239
Established:
Acres:
Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 2 Tombstones
Located at 700 Greenlawn Avenue, the massive Abbey structure, set back from the main road, was virtually invisible from the street at the time we first discovered it. This was truly remarkable considering the size of the building. At any rate, good and diligent seekers that we are, we were able to find our way through the brush and up the dirt and gravel road to the mausoleum.
Although the Abbey was to be maintained perpetually through invested funds, the 1929 stock market crash saw the loss of that funding and, with it, the decline of the Abbey ensued. Sad indeed is the fact that, along with a failure of the owner's to preserve the building, the actions of thoughtless vandals have caused the Abbey to be closed to visitors. We were able to shoot one photo through a break in the front doors and that brief view spoke of the promise of a world of exploration beyond...a world from which we were barred.
Had we been privileged to enter, one of the tombs we would most certainly have been looking to find would have been that of Howard Thurston (1870-1936) also known as "Thurston the Magician." Thurston's crypt bears a plaque inscribed:
"A loving tribute to our friend and fellow member, Howard Thurston. The Society of Osiris Magicians."
A close friend of Harry Houdini, Thurston nearly ruled the world of stage magic in his day. Now that he has passed over into the realm of the dead, his fame continues as his spirit is said to haunt the Abbey halls. Feeding the tales of Thurston's restless wanderings is the fact that he, Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle made a pact to attempt to contact the world of the living once they had died. We wish them much success in their endeavour and would be honoured to witness their communications should they meet with success. Good luck, Gentlemen.
ADDENDUM: We are pleased to announce that, since our first visit to the Abbey (upon which this review was based) a group of dedicated individuals, known corporately as the Green Lawn Abbey Preservation Association, has taken decisive steps to restore the Abbey to its righteous place in the annals of cemetery history. The hedges and trees which once shielded the Abbey from view have been removed in an effort to curtail vandalism and video surveillance is now in place to keep a watchful eye on the hallowed halls. Restoration of the Abbey is underway and plans to open the mausoleum to future interments have been undertaken.
Though still in the midst of a monumental reclamation project, the Abbey is now open to the public several times a year. We have taken great delight in visiting and watching as the restoration process unfolds. We strongly encourage others to do the same.
For further information (and to contribute to the Abbey’s restoration) please visit the official website.
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700 Greenlawn Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.602.2239
Established:
Acres:
Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 2 Tombstones
Located at 700 Greenlawn Avenue, the massive Abbey structure, set back from the main road, was virtually invisible from the street at the time we first discovered it. This was truly remarkable considering the size of the building. At any rate, good and diligent seekers that we are, we were able to find our way through the brush and up the dirt and gravel road to the mausoleum.
Although the Abbey was to be maintained perpetually through invested funds, the 1929 stock market crash saw the loss of that funding and, with it, the decline of the Abbey ensued. Sad indeed is the fact that, along with a failure of the owner's to preserve the building, the actions of thoughtless vandals have caused the Abbey to be closed to visitors. We were able to shoot one photo through a break in the front doors and that brief view spoke of the promise of a world of exploration beyond...a world from which we were barred.
Had we been privileged to enter, one of the tombs we would most certainly have been looking to find would have been that of Howard Thurston (1870-1936) also known as "Thurston the Magician." Thurston's crypt bears a plaque inscribed:
"A loving tribute to our friend and fellow member, Howard Thurston. The Society of Osiris Magicians."
A close friend of Harry Houdini, Thurston nearly ruled the world of stage magic in his day. Now that he has passed over into the realm of the dead, his fame continues as his spirit is said to haunt the Abbey halls. Feeding the tales of Thurston's restless wanderings is the fact that he, Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle made a pact to attempt to contact the world of the living once they had died. We wish them much success in their endeavour and would be honoured to witness their communications should they meet with success. Good luck, Gentlemen.
ADDENDUM: We are pleased to announce that, since our first visit to the Abbey (upon which this review was based) a group of dedicated individuals, known corporately as the Green Lawn Abbey Preservation Association, has taken decisive steps to restore the Abbey to its righteous place in the annals of cemetery history. The hedges and trees which once shielded the Abbey from view have been removed in an effort to curtail vandalism and video surveillance is now in place to keep a watchful eye on the hallowed halls. Restoration of the Abbey is underway and plans to open the mausoleum to future interments have been undertaken.
Though still in the midst of a monumental reclamation project, the Abbey is now open to the public several times a year. We have taken great delight in visiting and watching as the restoration process unfolds. We strongly encourage others to do the same.
For further information (and to contribute to the Abbey’s restoration) please visit the official website.
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