A Brief History of Woodlawn Cemetery
*Beginning in the 1830's, American urban planners began to establish rural cemeteries on the outskirts of cities as a way to address the growing issues of overcrowding, public health risks and a lack of leisure space. Historic Woodlawn Cemetery, which was founded in 1876, consisted of 160 acres - one-half mile square - and represented the flourishing of the "rural cemetery movement" in Toledo.
*The designers of Woodlawn Cemetery followed the "landscape lawn plan," which emphasized nature and art. This type of plan included winding paths that later became roads, lakes, gently undulating hills, a variety of trees, and monuments noted for their originality. The beautiful Conservatory Chapel, built in 1883, was the first building on the property.
*By the turn of the century, Woodlawn had become the cemetery of choice for Toledo's civic, professional, and industrial leaders. The elaborate monuments and private family mausoleums erected by these leaders are truly stunning and, as the original designers planned, augment the natural beauty of the space. As the twentieth century unfolded, the historic cemetery was surrounded by the city limits. Toledoans of all walks of life enjoyed its park-like setting and purchased burial lots within its decorative, old boundary fence.
*Throughout the past and continuing into the twenty-first century, the primary objective of the trustees of Historic Woodlawn Cemetery has been to keep the cemetery on a solid financial footing while preserving and enhancing its natural beauty and historical significance. This emphasis led to the cemetery being listed as a National Historic Site in 1998.
*Anyone who owns property in the cemetery is considered a member of the Historic Woodlawn Cemetery Association. 10% of the purchase price of cemetery products is automatically invested in a Perpetual Care Fund, the proceeds of which are used to mow and trim and generally maintain the property forever. As a private, non-profit association, any profits from products or services provided by Woodlawn are re-invested in the maintenance, restoration and preservation of the cemetery, a National Historic Site.
*Woodlawn is a member of the International Cemetery and Funeral Association (ICFA). A benefit to association members is the ICFA Credit Exchange Plan that gives pre-need members the privilege to exchange dollar-for-dollar credit of their original paid purchase price into another cemetery that participates in the Plan. Some restrictions do apply. There is no charge to the consumer for the privilege of using this plan.
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