Category Archives: Uncategorized

Harry B. Helmsley March 4, 1909 – January 4, 1997 Leona Mindy Roberts Helmsley July 4, 1920 – August 20, 2007 Harry and Leona Helmsley were a New York power couple who owned real estate and hotels throughout the city.  … Continue reading →

  Many mausoleums are embellished with ornate stained-glass windows.   The angel featured in this window is carrying a horn with one hand and pointing upward with the other.  The angel uses the horn to announce the coming resurrection.  The other hand is … Continue reading →

One of my favorite graveyard symbols is the willow.  The Somerset Cemetery at Somerset, Ohio, has many intricately carved examples of gravestones with the willow motif. The willow as a symbol is sentimental and hints at the human emotions felt during grief.  The … Continue reading →

Wm. S. CLARK MAY 24, 1854 Feb. 7, 1904 The zinc marker above marks the grave of a William Clark.  His marker is the tale of two birds.  On one side is bolted the eagle and the other a dove. Clark was … Continue reading →

The ornamentation of this mausoleum in the Woodland Cemetery at Des Moines displays the typical Knights of Pythias symbolism that can be found on the metal markers that are found next to the gravestones of the fraternity members.  The symbols … Continue reading →

In the center triangle of the metal marker above are featured many of the symbols that are significant to the Knights of Pythias.  The profile of a knight’s helmet, with a falcon (a symbol of vigilance) sits atop a shield surrounded by crossed battle … Continue reading →

  COLUMBUS R. CUMMINGS 1834-1897 SARAH C. MARK CUMMINGS 1841-1909 The tombstone of Columbus Cummings, Chicago millionaire rail road magnate, and his wife, Sarah, in the Graceland Cemetery at Chicago features a draped sarcophagus.  The grand unpolished gray granite monument … Continue reading →

The inscription on the front of the schoolhouse: HARRY M. HAYS 1850-1923 EDWIN  (POP) BOWERS 1873-1940 HIS WIFE LU. NELL BOWERS 1876-1973 The inscription on the front of the schoolhouse: WM. A. HAYS APR. 14, 1879, MAR. 29, 1880. ALBERT … Continue reading →

ANNA WIFE OF JAMES CONOLY BORN March 19, 1848. DIED JAN. 21, 1881.   FRANK E. BORN APR. 3, 1880 DIED JAN. 26, 1881. ROSA C. BORN APR. 9, 1878 DIED JAN. 17, 1884.   GEORGE BORN JUNE 9, 1870 … Continue reading →

JOHNSON ROBERT CLARENCE 1927-2006 A bewildered-looking angel is gingerly perched on top of the rounded top white marble tablet marking the grave of Robert Clarence Johnson in the Woodward Hill Cemetery at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Cherubim are one of nine orders or … Continue reading →