Architectural History of
Toledo's Historic Woodlawn Cemetery

Historic Woodlawn Cemetery occupies a noteworthy status in Toledo's architectural history. The many and varied architectural features at Woodlawn make it a uniquely beautiful and notable cemetery. Woodlawn's designation as a National Historic Site in 1998 was due in large measure to the interesting architecture found throughout the grounds.

Historic Woodlawn Cemetery is maintained in the spirit in which it was founded and is a good example of a "rural cemetery". Everything in it is as Adolph Strauch, creator of the landscape lawn plan for cemeteries, said of nineteenth-century rural cemeteries, "tasteful, classical, and poetical".

The ornate black wrought iron detail is clearly visible in this snowy photo of Historic Woodlawn's main gate.
The Administration Building

Ornate Ironwork

In 1915, the Stewart Iron Works Company of Cincinnati erected the two-mile iron fence that surrounds the cemetery. The entrance features six stone pillars, three on either side of the large iron gate. Each pillar is decorated with ornate ironwork.

Administration Building

Near the entrance gate is Woodlawn's most distinctive building, the Administration Building, built in 1903 in the Romanesque style. This irregular and unusual structure is dominated by a bell tower, which is believed to be the center remains of a late nineteenth century windmill that was located on the site. The belfry is similar to a battlement and has a large square window on its front and rear, while on each side, there is an arched window. None of the windows have panes or shutters.

The office building itself wraps around the tower and has retained its historical integrity, appearing on the outside just as it did when it was built. Its walls are of rock-faced coursed Ohio limestone topped by a slate roof. The tradition of tolling the bell to signal the arrival of a funeral procession continues today.

The main bridge in Autumn

Main Bridge

A concrete arch bridge built in 1913 traverses the Woodlawn lake. It was renovated in 1965 but is again in disrepair, though operational. In commemoration of the cemetery's 125th year, the board of trustees has set up a special fund for restoration and preservation of the main bridge as well as historic Conservatory Chapel, and the comfort station.

Conservatory Chapel

(Top) The chapel as it appeared when built and (above) as it looks today. Detail of the vaulted ceiling

Situated on the northwest side of the bridge is the Conservatory Chapel, which overlooks the lake. It was dedicated in 1883 and is the earliest remaining building on the property. A greenhouse was included in the original plans, though never built, hence the name.

The Chapel was built on top of a "receiving vault" that was used to store the bodies of those who died during the winter months. The vault was necessary because the technology to dig frozen soil had not yet been developed at the turn of the century. In 1923 when this vault capability was no longer needed, one of Ohio's first crematories was installed.

Unfortunately the original arched stained glass windows were destroyed in a 1973 fire and have been replaced with blue and clear Plexiglas. In a 1952 remodeling, the Chapel stucco was removed and replaced with brick veneer. The walls have been plastered with stucco to combat the smoke stains caused by crematory emissions.

Despite undergoing superficial alterations, the Chapel has maintained its basic structural integrity. The interior has remained intact and retains its integrity. The design is simple in the secular tradition of the nineteenth century rural cemetery movement. The Chapel is symmetrical and is particularly notable for its vaulted ceiling. The double door has a fanlight overhead and a pillared arch frames each of the three arched multi-paned windows. The Chapel is no longer used for services.

The comfort station

Comfort Station

Next to the Chapel is the comfort station that was erected in 1923. The split-level building is constructed of Ohio limestone and is, like the Chapel, simple in style. It consists of one rectangular room and has a hip roof with an end interior chimney.

Caretaker's Residence

Located on the Central Avenue side of the cemetery, 500 feet west of the Administration Building is the caretaker's residence. Built in 1917, it is a Sears and Roebuck mail order home. The home was occupied until the mid-1990's.

Private Family Mausoleums

	The Fisk- Collins family mausoleum
	The Gunckel Pyramid, one of the stunning memorials at Historic Woodlawn
	A Victorian-era "tree monument"

There are forty-two private family mausoleums at Woodlawn dating from the 1880's. The last was built in the 1950's. Ranging in style from Classical, Neoclassical and late Gothic Revival to Egyptian Revival, they provide eloquent examples of funereal architecture and a lasting testament to some of Toledo's most prominent families. A few of the most notable belong to the Berdan, Chesbrough (one of the first built), Stranahan, Spitzer and Snyder families.

Monuments

Throughout its 125 years, Woodlawn has taken pride in its encouragement of originality of monuments. Some of the most impressive, like the Ford and Bell monuments, are Neoclassical in style. Others are quite unusual like the Gunckel pyramid (1917), the Bessie Ludwig chair monument (1930) and the GAR Civil War monument (1901).

Historic Woodlawn Cemetery also includes several examples of a late Victorian fad, which embraced monuments that resembled tree trunks with all the branches cut off. These unusual memorials were intended to represent an unfinished life.

Over the past 125 years, tastes in monuments have evolved. Almost every style is represented within Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.