West Lawn Cemetery

West Lawn Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in Canton, Ohio, United States, and is the final resting place of numerous notable individuals, including William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, William Howard Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt. The cemetery is situated near the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Canton Museum of Art, and the National First Ladies' Library. West Lawn Cemetery is also close to the Stark County Courthouse and the Canton Memorial Civic Center.

● History

The history of West Lawn Cemetery dates back to 1850, when it was established as a public cemetery, and since then, it has been the final resting place of many notable individuals, including Harry Steel, a United States Army soldier who fought in the American Civil War, and Ida Saxton McKinley, the wife of William McKinley. The cemetery has also been the site of numerous Memorial Day ceremonies, which have been attended by dignitaries such as General John J. Pershing and General Douglas MacArthur. West Lawn Cemetery is also near the McKinley National Memorial, which is the final resting place of William McKinley and his wife, Ida Saxton McKinley. The cemetery is managed by the City of Canton, which is also responsible for the maintenance of other historic sites, including the Canton Historic District and the Stark County Historic Center.

● Geography

West Lawn Cemetery is located in Canton, Ohio, which is situated in the northeastern part of the state, near the Ohio River and the Lake Erie. The cemetery is surrounded by other historic sites, including the National Park Service-managed Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The geography of the area is characterized by rolling hills and wooded areas, which provide a serene and peaceful atmosphere for visitors to the cemetery. The cemetery is also near the Canton-Akron Airport and the Amtrak station, which provides easy access to other cities, including Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh. West Lawn Cemetery is situated near the Stark State College of Technology and the Aultman Hospital, which are two of the largest employers in the area.

● Notable_interments

West Lawn Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable individuals, including William McKinley, Ida Saxton McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Howard Taft. Other notable interments include Harry Steel, General John J. Pershing, and General Douglas MacArthur, who all played important roles in the United States military. The cemetery is also the final resting place of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, and Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company. Other notable individuals buried at West Lawn Cemetery include John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil, and J.P. Morgan, the founder of J.P. Morgan & Co.. The cemetery is also near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is located in Cleveland and honors the contributions of musicians such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson.

● Architecture

The architecture of West Lawn Cemetery is characterized by a mix of historic and modern styles, with many of the older graves and mausoleums featuring intricate stone carvings and ornate details. The cemetery's main entrance is marked by a grand stone gate, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a famous American architect. The cemetery also features a number of notable monuments, including the McKinley National Memorial, which was designed by Harold Van Buren Magonigle and features a large stone dome and a statue of William McKinley. The cemetery's landscape is designed to provide a peaceful and serene atmosphere, with many trees, gardens, and walking paths. The architecture of the cemetery is also influenced by the Art Deco style, which was popular during the 1920s and 1930s, and features geometric shapes and ornate details.

● Operations

The operations of West Lawn Cemetery are managed by the City of Canton, which is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery. The cemetery is open to the public seven days a week, and visitors can take self-guided tours of the grounds. The cemetery also offers guided tours, which are led by knowledgeable staff and provide information about the history and notable interments of the cemetery. West Lawn Cemetery is also a popular spot for genealogy research, with many visitors coming to the cemetery to research their family history and find the graves of their ancestors. The cemetery is near the Canton Public Library, which has a large collection of genealogy resources, including census records, birth certificates, and death certificates. The cemetery is also near the Stark County Recorder's Office, which has records of all the burials that have taken place at the cemetery.