Allegheny Cemetery

Allegheny Cemetery is my favorite of the large cemeteries in Pittsburgh due to its sheer size and scope. Pretty much every type of monument you can think of has been constructed here, and some of them date back to the 1800’s. If you know anything about Pittsburgh history, you’ll recognize the names of many of the people who the monuments memorialize. If you have an eye for architecture, you’ll appreciate the varied styles of the monuments, which reflect the eras in which they were constructed. If you like nature, you’ll enjoy feeling like you’re not even in the city when you’re walking here, and perhaps seeing some deer grazing among the gravestones. Thus, I suppose you could say there’s something here for everyone!
My favorite part of the cemetery, however, is the mausoleum. While I realize that it may sound strange, it’s actually really beautiful due to its many stained glass windows, which depict scenes from the Bible and other books (e.g., Pilgrim’s Progress). In particular, be sure to go downstairs and check out the crypt, which is home to many of the windows, and is tastefully decorated. The building is quite large, also containing a chapel for memorial services, some offices, and clean bathrooms, in addition to the interred «residents.»
After attending a cookout on Memorial Day with CM, I suggested that we take a stroll at Allegheny Cemetery, since it seemed a fitting way to remember the sacrifices that some veterans have made for our country. Also, it gave us an opportunity to enjoy the peacefulness of the cemetery and get some exercise after having spent several hours socializing and eating. We both enjoyed exploring the cemetery very much, though we didn’t come upon the veterans’ plot, which I was hoping to see decked out with flags. My only criticism is that some of the roads aren’t kept up as well as they could be, and that there are Canadian geese, which always leave a mess behind.
This cemetery is one of Pittsburgh’s historical treasures, so be sure to check it out! If I were dead, I’m pretty sure this is where I’d like to take up eternal residence. ;-)

This is a wonderful cemetery, great for walking and wonderful to explore some of the famous people buried there. My favorites include Stephen Foster, Charles Avery (Abolitionist and founder of Avery College), Lester Madden (Jaws headstone), Josh Gibson, Lillian Russell, Harry Kendall Thaw, and Stanley Turrentine. Venture Outdoors gives an amazing tour of the Cemetery, and the tour is very reasonably priced. There are are lots of birds, deer, and beautiful trees throughout.