LEXINGTON CEMETERY
833 West Main Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859.255.5522
Established: 1849
Acres: 170
Official Website
Bella Morte Tombstone Rating: 3 Tombstones
We have been aware of Lexington Cemetery for some time, however, owing to the scant and less-than-stellar reports we were able to obtain, we decided not to travel there despite the fact that it is a mere hour’s drive from one of our favourite Kentucky haunts, Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. However, this Spring, following an inspirational visit to Cincinnati’s Hillside Chapel, we decided it was finally time to investigate Lexington Cemetery.
An interesting tidbit… The cemetery was established in 1849 and its first burials were that of Robert S. Boyd and his infant son. Mr. Boyd, a previous posthumous resident of the Episcopal Cemetery in Lexington, had died during the cholera epidemic of 1833. His business partner, A.B. Colwell, purchased the Lexington plot and had Mr. Boyd and his infant son reinterred there on the 2nd of October, 1849. Information regarding the date and cause of Mr. Boyd’s infant son are unavailable.
Another interesting tidbit: The original entrance to Lexington Cemetery, now sadly lost to the ages, featured an eastern and western gate. Above the eastern gate, the following words were inscribed: “Lexington Cemetery, Founded A.D. 1849.” Inscribed above the west gate: “The City of the Dead.” Sad that modern sensibilities demand that people (at least in the U.S.) be shielded from death and its attendant realities. Our society no longer tolerates the candor and forthrightness displayed by that inscription.
In regard to monuments, Lexington certainly does not compare to its Kentucky neighbor to the west, Cave Hill. Although Lexington does contain some lovely memorials, they certainly are not as plentiful as we prefer. By far the largest on the grounds is the Clay Monument, the place of final repose for the mortal remains of Henry Clay Sr. -- known as “The Great Compromiser” --and his wife, Lucretia Hart Clay. Volumes have been written about this political leader and orator and this is certainly not the place to reprise the efforts of others. At any rate, our focus is primarily on death and what happens to one’s remains thereafter. Aside from fascinating facts and tales of the offbeat and unusual, we are generally content to leave tales of the living to be recounted by others.
Back to the Clay Memorial…
Upon his death on 29 June, 1852, a group of Mr. Clay’s friends and admirers determined to build a suitable memorial to his memory. After selecting a design from approximately 100 proposals and raising the necessary funds, the cornerstone of the monument was laid on 4 July, 1857. Completed four years later in 1861, the Civil War caused the memorial to lay empty until the 8th of April, 1864, when the remains of Henry Clay and those of his wife, Lucretia, (who had joined her husband in death just two days earlier) were finally laid to rest there.
The history of the Clay Monument from that day forward has been rather turbulent. During a violent storm in 1903, Mr. Clay’s image, which surmounted the memorial’s towering spire, was decapitated. The image of Mr. Clay’s body remained standing while his head plummeted 130 feet to the ground. What a sight that must have been! Just seven years later, the replacement image was struck by lightning, shattering the right leg and severing the right hand. Replaced once again, the statue, along with the rest of the monument, fell prey to the ravages of time and weather until, in 1976, a complete renovation was undertaken. Thirty-five years later, the memorial is in what we would term “acceptable condition,” though additional work would certainly not be uncalled for at this time.
When visiting Lexington Cemetery, please take time to approach the crypt at the Clay Memorial’s base and peer through the gates to see the sarcophagi of Henry and Lucretia. Although we believe they originally lay side-by-side, Lucretia’s vault has now been oddly placed at her husband’s feet, lying perpendicular to his sarcophagus.
Inscribed on Henry’s tomb are his own words:
"I can with unshaken confidence appeal to the Divine Arbiter for the truth of the declaration that I have been influenced by no impure purpose, no personal motive ; have sought no personal aggrandizement ; but that in all my public acts I have had a sole and single eye, and a warm, devoted heart, directed and dedicated to what in my best judgment I believe to be the true interests of my country.”
On a tablet in the crypt is written: “I know no south, no north, no east, no west.”
Make certain not to miss the astonishing American Basswood nearby in the Clay Monument plot as well. A plaque there designates the colossal tree as having been alive at the time of the signing of our country’s Constitution.
Though not nearly as grand as the Clay memorial, the Ockerman stone near the cemetery entrance also commands attention. Carved in the shape of an enormous globe --complete with the continents -- the monument bears the inscription: “The World Was Their Classroom.”
Another notable monument on the grounds is the touching tribute to one Emmal Fisk. His stone, depicting the young boy holding two birds in his overturned hat, bears the following inscription:
Emmal Fisk
son of
Charles H.
and
Maggie E. Fisk
Born in Covington, KY.,
September 3, 1867,
entered into life
January 14, 1881.
_______
His body is laid in this
spot at his own request
Oh, to know Emmal’s story…
In addition to ground burials, mausoleums and columbaria, those not inclined to more traditional methods of laying mortal remains to rest may avail themselves of Lexington’s Scattering Garden. This lovely location features black wrought iron gates, attractive landscaping, gardens and memorial benches along the perimeter. A bronze plaque just outside the garden reads:
RETURNED
I am a part of the garden, and it is a
part of me. Come and stand quietly
in the spring as a new season awakens,
in the fullness of summer, the beauty of
fall, or the silence of winter. And
leaving, take with you the peace that
is mine.
E.I. “Buddy” Thompson
1993
Being good taphophiles, we looked up some information regarding Mr. Thompson. As it turns out, he was one of the founding members of Lexington and Central Kentucky’s premiere auction company – Thompson & Riley. A far more interesting tidbit, however, is that Mr. Thompson is also the author of Madame Belle Brezing, the only full length book on Lexington’s most infamous Madame. For movie buffs, Ms. Brezing is said to be the prototype of Belle Watling in “Gone With the Wind.” (Having never seen the movie – and having no interest in ever doing so -- we are not sure if that is a positive or negative distinction).
Ms. Brezing, who died of cancer at the age of 80, is buried across the street from Lexington in Calvary Cemetery. Her gravestone bears the amusingly tongue-in-cheek inscription: “Blessed are the pure in heart.” (Note: Ms. Brezing’s grave, for those who care to see it, may be the best reason for going to Calvary as it has very little to recommend it).
All in all, our visit to Lexington was enjoyable; however, it is not the type of burying ground we would recommend one traverse great distances to visit. If you are in the area, though, it will certainly make for a pleasant visit.
{G}
833 West Main Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859.255.5522
Established: 1849
Acres: 170
Official Website
Bella Morte Tombstone Rating: 3 Tombstones
We have been aware of Lexington Cemetery for some time, however, owing to the scant and less-than-stellar reports we were able to obtain, we decided not to travel there despite the fact that it is a mere hour’s drive from one of our favourite Kentucky haunts, Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. However, this Spring, following an inspirational visit to Cincinnati’s Hillside Chapel, we decided it was finally time to investigate Lexington Cemetery.
An interesting tidbit… The cemetery was established in 1849 and its first burials were that of Robert S. Boyd and his infant son. Mr. Boyd, a previous posthumous resident of the Episcopal Cemetery in Lexington, had died during the cholera epidemic of 1833. His business partner, A.B. Colwell, purchased the Lexington plot and had Mr. Boyd and his infant son reinterred there on the 2nd of October, 1849. Information regarding the date and cause of Mr. Boyd’s infant son are unavailable.
Another interesting tidbit: The original entrance to Lexington Cemetery, now sadly lost to the ages, featured an eastern and western gate. Above the eastern gate, the following words were inscribed: “Lexington Cemetery, Founded A.D. 1849.” Inscribed above the west gate: “The City of the Dead.” Sad that modern sensibilities demand that people (at least in the U.S.) be shielded from death and its attendant realities. Our society no longer tolerates the candor and forthrightness displayed by that inscription.
In regard to monuments, Lexington certainly does not compare to its Kentucky neighbor to the west, Cave Hill. Although Lexington does contain some lovely memorials, they certainly are not as plentiful as we prefer. By far the largest on the grounds is the Clay Monument, the place of final repose for the mortal remains of Henry Clay Sr. -- known as “The Great Compromiser” --and his wife, Lucretia Hart Clay. Volumes have been written about this political leader and orator and this is certainly not the place to reprise the efforts of others. At any rate, our focus is primarily on death and what happens to one’s remains thereafter. Aside from fascinating facts and tales of the offbeat and unusual, we are generally content to leave tales of the living to be recounted by others.
Back to the Clay Memorial…
Upon his death on 29 June, 1852, a group of Mr. Clay’s friends and admirers determined to build a suitable memorial to his memory. After selecting a design from approximately 100 proposals and raising the necessary funds, the cornerstone of the monument was laid on 4 July, 1857. Completed four years later in 1861, the Civil War caused the memorial to lay empty until the 8th of April, 1864, when the remains of Henry Clay and those of his wife, Lucretia, (who had joined her husband in death just two days earlier) were finally laid to rest there.
The history of the Clay Monument from that day forward has been rather turbulent. During a violent storm in 1903, Mr. Clay’s image, which surmounted the memorial’s towering spire, was decapitated. The image of Mr. Clay’s body remained standing while his head plummeted 130 feet to the ground. What a sight that must have been! Just seven years later, the replacement image was struck by lightning, shattering the right leg and severing the right hand. Replaced once again, the statue, along with the rest of the monument, fell prey to the ravages of time and weather until, in 1976, a complete renovation was undertaken. Thirty-five years later, the memorial is in what we would term “acceptable condition,” though additional work would certainly not be uncalled for at this time.
When visiting Lexington Cemetery, please take time to approach the crypt at the Clay Memorial’s base and peer through the gates to see the sarcophagi of Henry and Lucretia. Although we believe they originally lay side-by-side, Lucretia’s vault has now been oddly placed at her husband’s feet, lying perpendicular to his sarcophagus.
Inscribed on Henry’s tomb are his own words:
"I can with unshaken confidence appeal to the Divine Arbiter for the truth of the declaration that I have been influenced by no impure purpose, no personal motive ; have sought no personal aggrandizement ; but that in all my public acts I have had a sole and single eye, and a warm, devoted heart, directed and dedicated to what in my best judgment I believe to be the true interests of my country.”
On a tablet in the crypt is written: “I know no south, no north, no east, no west.”
Make certain not to miss the astonishing American Basswood nearby in the Clay Monument plot as well. A plaque there designates the colossal tree as having been alive at the time of the signing of our country’s Constitution.
Though not nearly as grand as the Clay memorial, the Ockerman stone near the cemetery entrance also commands attention. Carved in the shape of an enormous globe --complete with the continents -- the monument bears the inscription: “The World Was Their Classroom.”
Another notable monument on the grounds is the touching tribute to one Emmal Fisk. His stone, depicting the young boy holding two birds in his overturned hat, bears the following inscription:
Emmal Fisk
son of
Charles H.
and
Maggie E. Fisk
Born in Covington, KY.,
September 3, 1867,
entered into life
January 14, 1881.
_______
His body is laid in this
spot at his own request
Oh, to know Emmal’s story…
In addition to ground burials, mausoleums and columbaria, those not inclined to more traditional methods of laying mortal remains to rest may avail themselves of Lexington’s Scattering Garden. This lovely location features black wrought iron gates, attractive landscaping, gardens and memorial benches along the perimeter. A bronze plaque just outside the garden reads:
RETURNED
I am a part of the garden, and it is a
part of me. Come and stand quietly
in the spring as a new season awakens,
in the fullness of summer, the beauty of
fall, or the silence of winter. And
leaving, take with you the peace that
is mine.
E.I. “Buddy” Thompson
1993
Being good taphophiles, we looked up some information regarding Mr. Thompson. As it turns out, he was one of the founding members of Lexington and Central Kentucky’s premiere auction company – Thompson & Riley. A far more interesting tidbit, however, is that Mr. Thompson is also the author of Madame Belle Brezing, the only full length book on Lexington’s most infamous Madame. For movie buffs, Ms. Brezing is said to be the prototype of Belle Watling in “Gone With the Wind.” (Having never seen the movie – and having no interest in ever doing so -- we are not sure if that is a positive or negative distinction).
Ms. Brezing, who died of cancer at the age of 80, is buried across the street from Lexington in Calvary Cemetery. Her gravestone bears the amusingly tongue-in-cheek inscription: “Blessed are the pure in heart.” (Note: Ms. Brezing’s grave, for those who care to see it, may be the best reason for going to Calvary as it has very little to recommend it).
All in all, our visit to Lexington was enjoyable; however, it is not the type of burying ground we would recommend one traverse great distances to visit. If you are in the area, though, it will certainly make for a pleasant visit.
{G}
