Monday, September 3, 2018

A GRAVE SITUATION INDEED


Before leaving Buffalo, NY, we visited the famous resting place of many of the pioneers of the Buffalo community dating back to 1849.  The beautiful setting has unmatched natural hills, valleys, lakes, streams and cultural masterpieces.

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

The picturesque Forest Lawn Cemetery covers 269 acres and over 161,000 are buried there including United States President Millard Fillmore, Grammy Award singer and songwriter Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell, founder of Bell Aircraft.  In its almost 170 years this cemetery has become a chronicle of local history and deserves its designation in the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

There are over 3,500 trees in Forest Lawn, representing 100 different species and varieties making the cemetery an important arboretum.  Over 240 kinds of birds have been spotted.

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

From the beginning there has been a policy of providing interesting and appropriate sculpture to the natural setting of Forest Lawn - making the cemetery an outdoor sculpture museum today.

RED JACKET - Seneca Indian Chief
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

As you enter Forest Lawn Cemetery a larger-than-life statue of the great Seneca Indian Chief, Red Jacket (c.1750-1830), who managed neutrality on the part of his powerful Seneca nation in the War of 1812.  The Senecas gave him the name, Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha (He Who Keeps Them Awake).  In this sculpture he is wearing a red jacket presented to him by a British officer, and on his breast is displayed a large medal awarded to him by President George Washington.

Gravesite - Millard Fillmore
13th President of the United States of America



In 1874, the 13th president of the United States, Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) is buried.  Fillmore was probably Buffalo's most notable leader, a lawyer, Congressman, and vice-president of the United States.
Gravesite Memorial of Nelson Blocher
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY


Gravesite Memorial of Nelson Blocher
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY
Gravesite Memorial of Nelson Blocher
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

The most lavish tribute to Victorian taste was unveiled in 1888.  The unusual Blocher memorial actually is a floor-to-ceiling glass window and marble sculpture.  The figures represent the father and mother standing and grieving over their dead son, Nelson, who died while grieving over a lover.  A female angel (represents the lover) gazes down from overhead.

Private Mausoleum and Seating area - Chester and Gloria Stachura
Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

The private art deco mausoleum of Chester and Gloria Stachura was built to also include a polished black granite sofa or an S-shaped tete-a-tete sofa for passersby to rest.

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, NY

Gravesite - Founder of Bell Helicopters
Lawrence Dale Bell - 1894 - 1956

The founder of Bell Helicopters
Lawrence Dale Bell

A memorial to Darwin D. Martin, friend of Frank Lloyd Wright
who designed the famous Martin Home

Frank Lloyd Wright designed a Blue Sky Mausoleum
containing 24 crypts--Broad stairs and soaring monolith
rise toward the heavens.
Memorial dedicated to those that perished aboard
Continental Connection Flight 3407 on February 12, 2009

Forest Lawn is one of Buffalo's most beautiful places and remains meticulously maintained for all to visit.    Every conflict since the Revolutionary War is represented.



As writer Mary Lou Brannon said, "A cemetery exists because every life is worth living and remembering - always."

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