Laurel Hill Cemetery

Laurel Hill Cemetery is a historic rural garden cemetery situated on a terraced slope overlooking the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its strategic location provided a beautiful, park-like setting away from the crowded city center. It was established in 1836 as the second major rural cemetery in the United States.

Established in 1836, it was one of the earliest cemeteries in the United States designed to serve as a landscaped public park. During an era before public parks were common, families would visit the grounds for picnics and carriage rides. It was part of the rural cemetery movement aimed at combating urban overcrowding and disease.

The cemetery serves as the final resting place for numerous notable figures from American history. Burials include prominent Civil War generals, politicians, and industrialists. Notable individuals include photographer Eadweard Muybridge and Henry Disston, a major figure in the saw manufacturing industry.

Yes, Laurel Hill Cemetery was officially designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998. The designation recognizes its profound influence on American landscape architecture and cemetery design. Today, the site continues to operate as an active cemetery and hosts historical tours and community events.