Episode 12: Eastern Cemetery

And now, we are here at the Eastern Cemetery. This cemetery is not just meant to bury the dead. Today it is visited by hundreds of people from different places, not just to visit their loved ones, but also to learn about the history of the city. Did you know that the Eastern Cemetery has been serving our dearly departed since early times? And yes, it is the oldest cemetery in the city with more than 4000 burial ground plots. The cemetery’s walls and fences are made with both iron and stones, which still dates back from the time it was built. And the gravestones? They are hand-carved. And guess what, some tombs are so strong-built, they can carry up to 30 bodies each. This idea is designed for families who want the bodies of their loved ones be put in one location. Families who want this setup would have to buy a tomb and it had to be dug out every time a new relative passes away. Each of these tombs has its own stairways leading to its private location. Capt. Lemuel, the designer and brainchild of the Portland Observatory is laid in one. In here lies notable persons in the state and the country. Capt. Alden, Jr is buried here. He was the steadfast blockader during the Mexican-American and Civil Wars and a commander of US Survey Ship Active, and a Portlander since birth. Another notable is Lt. William Ward Burrows II. He commanded the USS Enterprise in the US War of 1812 and was killed a year later during the Capture of HMS Boxer. Several US congressmen are also laid in this ground such as George Bradbury, Mark Harris, John Holmes, Daniel Ilsley, and William Widgery. If you still have time to roam around this evening, there will be evening and ghost tours here and in other cemeteries. It’s a great yet spooky experience you don’t want to miss. And yes, you can bring your children. We make it possible that the security in this area is stalwart and you don’t have to worry about getting bitten by a zombie. And please, no pets inside!On our west end neighborhood is the Western Cemetery—another historical landmark in the city, which was established in the 18th century. It’s a 4.9 hectare land with several well-known personalities laid to rest here such as Samuel Longfellow, Stephen Longfellow, Elijah Kellog, and Prentiss Mellen.Photo Eastern Cemetery, Portland by Bruce Washburn is licensed under CC BY 2.0