|
by Deena Warner
|
|
Wednesday, 06 August 2008 |
Thornrose Cemetery is one of the most beautiful graveyards I've ever seen. It is located west of downtown at the intersection of Beverley Street and Thornrose Avenue.
The cemetery was established in 1849 when the in-town Trinity Church graveyard was too crowded. The first burial was in 1853. At the time, Thornrose was at the edge of town, and people made Sunday journeys out to picnic there.
The cemetery gates are part of a castellated wall that surround the entire property. Most of the structures, including the gatehouse, were designed by T.J. Collins.
Some of the famous people buried here include:
-- Jedediah Hotchkiss (Civil War mapmaker)
-- Eva Clark (Trapeze artist who died in Staunton)
-- T.J. Collins (prominent architect)
-- Mary Julia Baldwin (founder of Mary Baldwin College)
 In the middle of the graveyard there is a bridge arching over the road. As you walk across the bridge, you are greeted by a statue of a woman who is on the lookout for you. This statue was erected in 1999, the 150th anniversary of the cemetery.
Nearly 2000 Civil War soldiers are buried in a mass grave on top of the hill. This statue stands atop the burial ground. It says "Confederate Dead" and lists as many of the names as they know.
This is the view from the highest point of the cemetery.
There is a columbarium in the southwest corner of the graveyard. Inside is this statue: Staunton Mourning her Dead.
Behind the columbarium are these four statues representing winter, spring, summer and fall.
   
Along Beverley Street, there are some imposing mausoleums designed by (you guessed it) T.J. Collins.
I don't know why they need a knocker on the door . . . seems awful spooky to me!
Here are some examples of other statues and graves:
 
Box elder bugs enjoy a gravestone in the Echols family area.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 August 2008 )
|
