Ferncliff Cemetery Snapshot: 1860s
Ferncliff Cemetery and Arboretum’s history dates back to 1863. Here’s a look at some of the notable events that impacted Ferncliff’s future during the 1860s.
June 13, 1863 William Warder brought to the city council the matter of a new burial ground that could anticipate the growth of the city.
June 26, 1863 An announcement in The Springfield Republic Newspaper read: “The city council invites the citizens to meet its members at the courthouse tomorrow evening for the purpose of consultation upon, and discussion of, the plans, which are proposed for the purchase of a new cemetery.”
June 27, 1863 Springfield City Council, led by Mr. William Warder, invited citizens to meet at the courthouse to discuss the purchase of a new cemetery amid the city’s growth Springfield resident George F. Frey called for the creation of a cemetery association at that meeting, appointing three citizens from each ward and four city council members to the group.
July 20, 1863 Samuel A. Bowman, a local attorney, suggested each member of the new cemetery association contribute a subscription, or loan, to further the project. Thus, the Springfield Cemetery Association was created.
Aug 3, 1963 Cemetery Committee Chairman Chandler Robbins reported at a public meeting the urgent desire from citizens for a new cemetery in Springfield. Robbins shared that after visiting other cities with successful cemeteries, Springfield should entrust the management of the new cemetery to “an association of persons organized for the special purpose, and for no other, of conducting business pertaining to cemeteries.” Subscriptions for the cemetery fund were then opened to the public for $300 each, with total capital stock not to exceed $10,000.
Aug. 25, 1863 The Springfield Cemetery Association was officially formed, composed of cemetery fund subscribers. Officers were elected: Dr. Robert Rodgers, S.A. Bowman and D. Shaffer elected to three-year trustee terms, G.S. Foos and Chandler Robbins to two year terms, William Warder and Dr. John Ludlow to one-year terms. David Cooper was assigned clerk. Dr. John Ludlow was selected as the Springfield Cemetery Association’s inaugural board president, a role he held until his death on June 10, 1883. Known as “the Father of Ferncliff” for his dedication to Springfield’s cemetery project, a monument is erected in Section B lot 9 in his memory.
Sept. 3, 1863 The Cemetery Association resolved to purchase 70.8 acres of land from Henry Bechtle’s heirs, specifically the “northeast quarter of Section 5, Township 4 and Range 7 in Springfield. Fall of 1863 Bowman and Warder traveled to Cincinnati to employ landscape gardeners to plan the grounds. John Dick of Cincinnati, a professional landscape gardener who studied at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburg, was hired as the first cemetery superintendent. He was provided a salary of $500 and a winter’s worth of firewood each year.
Fall of 1863 Bowman and Warder traveled to Cincinnati to employ landscape gardeners to plan the grounds. John Dick of Cincinnati, a professional landscape gardener who studied at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburg, was hired as the first cemetery superintendent. He was provided a salary of $500 and a winter’s worth of firewood each year.
April 4, 1864 The association christened the new cemetery Ferncliff, a nod to the ferns growing from the cliffs along Lagonda (now Buck) Creek, near the historic North Plum Street entrance. June 21, 1864 The cemetery’s first internment took place, the burial of George Clemens, who died of spotted fever at 8 years old.
July 6, 1864 On this day, Ferncliff Cemetery was officially dedicated. The occasion was marked with celebratory singing, prayer by Rev. Dr. Joseph Clokey, a dedication by Rev. S. Scolvel and other statements by association members and local dignitaries. Lot sales began shortly thereafter. November 23, 1864 Ferncliff reports sixty-six interred at the cemetery.
1864 In 1864, A cave to serve as a holding place for those who died during winter was constructed, providing a resource when the ground was too frozen for digging. The cave was named “Machpelah” in homage to the story of Abraham choosing Machpelah cave to bury his beloved Sarah in the Bible’s Genesis 23. Today, the cave – and its inscription – can still be seen in the cliffs near the lower Plum Street entrance, though it is no longer in use.
1869 The Plum Street Entrance, Erected in 1869 Springfield Cemetery Association trustees authorized the purchase of 6.48 acres of property owned by the Gwynn family outside the cemetery’s south entrance. At this time, they created The Plum Street Gatehouse entrance, which also included a custodial residence. The board of trustees reported in 1869 that burial plot sales were larger than any previous year, paving the way for a cemetery that will meet the needs of Springfield residents for generations to come. Want to dig deeper into the history of Ferncliff? Check out our blog, or plan a visit!
Sources:
- A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development. (1922). United States: American historical society.
- 20th Century History of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens. (1908). United States: Biographical Publishing Company.
- Schanher, P. W., Benston, A. E. (2008). Beautiful Ferncliff: Springfield, Ohio’s Historic Cemetery & Arboretum. United States: Orange Frazer Press.
