ARCHIVE STATUS: ACTIVE
LOC-TKFWES

Greenlawn Cemetery

APPROVEDPUBLIC ACCESS
Columbus, Ohio, United StatesResidual

Reported accounts of hauntings at Green Lawn Cemetery reflect a well-established body of local folklore that is closely tied to the site’s historical landscape and commemorative architecture. Among the most frequently cited locations is the Hayden Mausoleum, constructed in 1902 and located at 1000 Greenlawn Avenue, which is commonly described as the cemetery’s most prominent haunted site; narratives associated with the structure often reference the alleged apparition of a young boy and recount claims that knocking on the mausoleum’s heavy metal doors during nighttime hours elicits a responsive knock from within. Additional accounts focus on the Althouse Plot, which is connected to an 1872 historical report in which a witness claimed to have heard what was characterized as a “blood-curdling scream,” an incident that has since been incorporated into the cemetery’s lore. The Howland Mausoleum is similarly associated with reports from visitors who assert that photographic images have captured the appearance of a human face looking outward from the structure, a phenomenon often attributed to Ferdinand Howland. Collectively, these site-specific legends are reinforced by broader narratives of death, violence, and tragedy documented throughout the cemetery’s history, contributing to recurring reports of visitors experiencing heightened unease, emotional disturbance, or the sensation of an unseen presence while on the grounds.

Historical Summary

Established in 1848, Green Lawn Cemetery is among the oldest and largest cemeteries in Ohio. Its design was conceived during the early emergence of the Rural Cemetery Movement, a reformist approach to burial landscapes that emphasized naturalistic settings and picturesque scenery. In accordance with these principles, Green Lawn Cemetery incorporates a mature mixed oak forest, a cast-iron bridge, and an architecturally significant chapel. Green Lawn Cemetery also serves as the final resting place of several prominent Ohio figures, including author James Thurber and World War I fighter pilot Eddie Rickenbacker.

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