Grave Attractions
I had been wanting to go back to the Woodlawn Cemetery in Canandaigua for awhile, as I have never seen such a beautiful cemetery! It is located on a side street, back off the road. The topography is wonderful, with some gently rolling areas that are just stunning in the Autumn!
This cemetery is old and there are many Canandaigua “notables” interred there. It looks as though there is still room left for many, many more people, but my favorite part involves driving back and up an incline to the oldest section. This is where some of the most awesome statuary is located!
This Celtic Cross isn’t in the old section, but it really is old! I was going to convert the photo to sepia because I thought it would lend itself quite well, but I love he colors surrounding this marker!
The rest of the markers are located in the old section of the cemetery. I noticed that families would have an elaborate marker for the entire family, with small stones, often bearing only the initials of the person buried within close proximity of the large marker. Some of the stones are just beautiful works of art.
I love this one with the angel.
Standing amid the markers, some of them looked like chess pieces for a (bigger than) life-size game!
This marker caught my eye. It says “Little Max”….
And I will leave you with yet another Celtic Cross.
When my father-in-law passed away nearly six years ago, we were told the cemetery only allows flat stones. I guess that is because they are easier to maintain and they can actually mow the grass right over them.
I got to thinking, I wonder if all the beautiful statues in the cemetery were for wealthy families, or did people actually spend a great deal of money to commemorate their departed loved ones?
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I’ve lived in Cdga for 17 years and have never walked back there. I have thought that I should…but always seem to have my yellow lab with me. No dogs are allowed there of course.
I did drive back there once for a graveside service for the father of a dear friend.
Have you checked out the old cemetery on West Ave? (not the big one…a smaller one on the south side of the road) That cemetery has some Canandaigua notables…like Gideon Granger. I’ve been meaning to go there too. You’ve inspired me.
I recently walked through Baldwinsvilles cemeteries. Camera in hand of course. I love the old stones that say died at age 52 or who their persons parents were. We are so simple with our stones now. Born and died… that’s about it. Little Max is just so sad. I’d love to know the story behind it.
Priscilla, somewhere on my blog, I do have a photo of a deer romping through Woodlawn cemetery! hehehe Wonder if he/she knows they should not be there!!!?
I have never looked at the cemeteries on West Ave. Another note to self! It is so interesting looking at the information on the stones. I really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful statues the other day at Woodlawn.
Terri, I know many of the really old stones state the number of years, months, and days a person lived! Yes, that stone for Little Max caught my eye…the name was the only information offered!
Now I know where my morbid fascination with cemeteries comes from, lol!
I have the same morbid fascination. I love that old cemetery in Naples. The one behind Bob and Ruth’s restaurant. I remember being fascinated by it even as a child and wanting to walk around and look at the stones.