The Evergreens Cemetery, 225 acres on the Bushwick-Ridgewood border, doesn’t get a fraction of the attention Green-Wood Cemetery receives.
But it should. Incorporated in 1849, this peaceful burial ground is a necropolis of over half a million.
Think Civil War soldiers, Lincoln assassination figures, artists and actors, and thousands of ordinary prosperous German-Americans who settled in this part of the city in the 19th century.
Among the elaborately carved angels and mausoleums is a curious firefighter memorial: two statues of firemen plus the gravestones of fallen firefighters from several Eastern District volunteer hose, hook, or engine companies.
An 1858 New York Times news brief describes its beginning:
“The Board of Representatives of the Eastern District Fire Department, at a recent meeting, adopted a plan for a monument to be erected on the grounds in the Cemetery of the Evergreens.
“The design is a marble pedestal six feet square, upon which is to be placed a full-size statue of a fireman.
“The whole ground to be surrounded by a galvanized iron fence, the posts representing Corinthian hydrants. The expense, it is estimated, will not exceed $2,500, and the work will be commenced forthwith.”
Tags: Brooklyn Burial Grounds, Brooklyn Cemeteries, Brooklyn necropolis, Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department, Cemetery of the Evergreens Brooklyn, Dead Firefighters, Eastern District Brooklyn, Fireman Memorials Brooklyn, Sad Cemetery Angels, The Evergreens Cemetery Brooklyn
June 2, 2011 at 12:35 pm |
One of the reasons Cemetery of the Evergreens doesn’t get as much attention is that they enforce their no photography rule. On my one trip I was approached by security twice.
June 2, 2011 at 12:38 pm |
(Adding: the two cemeteries have very different policies on outreach: GWC is “out there,” with Open House New York events, Memorial Day reenactments and band concerts, etc.)
June 2, 2011 at 2:09 pm |
No photography rule? I had no idea!
June 2, 2011 at 6:13 pm |
I lived near Evergreens as a kid. If I recall correctly, there was also a formal Chinese Cemetery in the grounds.
Checking on the Find-a-Grave website, Evergreens also loses to Green-Wood in having many less famous residents. The most prominent names (to me, anyway) were cartoonist Windsor McCay, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and jazz great Lester Young.
June 2, 2011 at 6:22 pm |
Fewer famous residents but yes, many Chinese graves.
And Evergreens also has a commanding view of the Manhattan skyline, just like Green-Wood. It’s a lovely place to walk and explore.
June 4, 2011 at 3:36 am |
Lots of interesting spots in “cemetery row” If you’re in the area check out Ridgewood Reservoir which also has great views of midtown and overlooks the National Cemetery which pre-dates Arlington.