Established in 1839, Glendale Cemetery (Original name: Akron Rural Cemetery), originally was inspired by Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Mass. At the beginning, Glendale was comprised of 88-acres. In 1850, Oak Openings, a smaller 8-acre cemetery was incorporated into the site. Then in 1891, another area called the "western section" was added. When driving through the main gate of Glendale, several structures catch your attention. To the left on the hill, is the Bell Tower, then there's the office, the Gate Lodge and the Civil War Chapel. The Civil War Chapel was built to commemerate Akron's Civil War dead. Names of those who did not return are inscribed on the interior walls. The basement is a tomb for those who did return. There are hundreds of veteran's graves from all the wars at Glendale. But what makes Glendale Cemetery stand out are the graves and family plots of Akron's famous. Industrialists, bankers, businessmen, tycoons, people of politics, etc. Names like Miller, Robinson, Saalfield, Seiberling, Perkins, Sherbondy, Young, Howard, the list goes on. Cypress Ave., the main road through Glendale is lined on both sides with the stately mausoleums of the turn-of-the-century wealthy. Designs range from gothic, egyptian, and modern to rustic, colonial and Victorian.
When researching the cemetery, I learned that Dr. Commin was worried about public health in downtown Akron so he started this cemetery. The first mausoleum was built for his son in 1860.
I also learned that Glendale was a tourist attraction as early as the 1880's and a place that was much like a park where Akronites would picnic and enjoy the outdoors.
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| Caretakers Cottage built 1869 |
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| Civil War Chapel built 1876 |
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