25+ of the best cemeteries in Ohio to see before you die. From historic to haunted, we have something for everyone.
Cemetery tourism is a travel trend I’ve written about before. At first, it sounds macabre, but after visiting several really interesting cemeteries, you start to realize that many of them are made to be visited and enjoyed.
Some cemeteries have spectacular landscaping and green space that are meant to be shared with the public.
Ohio history goes way back, so there are a lot of really interesting cemeteries in Ohio.
Next time you are traveling around Ohio, check out one of these cemeteries!
The Best Cemeteries in Ohio to See
We’ve compiled a list of significant graveyards from some of the oldest cemeteries in the state to what some say are haunted cemeteries.
Camp Chase Cemetery, Columbus
Camp Chase was originally a Civil War Camp in Columbus and is the final resting place for over 2,000 Confederate soldiers who are buried here.
The cemetery is rumored to be haunted by the Lady in Gray who is believed to have been Louisiana Ransburgh Briggs. Sympathetic for the South she would enter the cemetery at night to lay flowers on the fallen soldier’s graves.
Address: 2900 Sullivant Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43204
Calvary Cemetery, Dayton
Established in 1872, this is one of the most beautiful and scenic cemeteries in Ohio. With 200 acres overlooking the Miami River and the Dayton skyline, this is one of the largest green spaces in the Dayton Metro area.
Address: 1625 Calvary Avenue Dayton, Ohio 45409
Confederate Stockade Cemetery, Johnson’s Island
A Confederate prison was once placed on Johnson’s Island in Sandusky Bay because escape was presumed to be impossible.
Many of those Confederate soldiers are now buried at the Stockade Cemetery.
Located off the shore of Marblehead, you can now access the island cemetery via the Johnson’s Island Causeway (toll required) from Marblehead.
Address: Johson’s Island Causeway Marblehead, Ohio 43440
Davis Historical Cemetery, Perry Township
Established in 1823, this is the final resting place for Ann Davis, Revolutionary War messenger for General George Washington. Her husband, who is also buried here, served in the Revolutionary War as well.
Address: 5706 Riverside Drive Dublin, Ohio 43017
Dayton Memorial Park, Dayton
This Dayton cemetery is the final resting place of American actress Agnes Moorehead. Best known for playing Endora on Bewitched, she is buried here with her parents who lived in Ohio at one time.
Address: 8135 N. Dixie Drive Dayton, Ohio 45414
Dayton National Cemetery, Dayton
Over 58,000 graves are located here and it’s one of only 14 cemeteries in the US to be designated as a National Shrine. It is also one of only eight US cemeteries to include veterans from every major conflict dating back to the American Revolutionary War.
Address: 4400 W. Third Street Dayton, Ohio 45428
Erie Street Cemetery, Cleveland
This Cleveland Cemetery sits in the shadow of Progressive Field and is the city’s oldest cemetery. Established in 1826, it is nearly 200 years old.
More than 17,000 people are buried here, including many prominent politicians from Cleveland’s history.
Address: 2254 E. 9th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Ferncliff Cemetery and Arboretum, Springfield
Dedicated in 1863, this cemetery also includes an arboretum full of beautiful and interesting trees. Well-manicured lawns, memorial statues, and historic plaques make this a great destination for a thoughtful walk in the woods.
Address: 501 W. McCreight Avenue Springfield, Ohio 45504
Glendale Cemetery, Akron
Akron’s oldest cemetery was founded in 1839 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The mausoleums here are modeled after Egyptian, Greek, and Roman temples, as well as Gothic churches. Many Civil War soldiers are buried here as well.
Address: 150 Glendale Avenue Akron, Ohio 44302
Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus
This spot was the premier cemetery of Columbus in the 19th century. The oldest headstone dates back to 1849, while many notable Columbus citizens including James Thurber and Eddie Rickenbacker have been laid to rest here.
From Buffalo Soldiers and medal of honor recipient to baseball players to former Ohio governors and piano players, there are more than 150,000 people buried here making it the second largest cemetery in Ohio. There is also a chapel on-site.
Address: 1000 Greenlawn Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43223
Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland
This unique cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent figures of historical significance including President James Garfield, architect Levi Schofield, America’s first billionaire John D. Rockefeller, and many others.
This stunning park is known as one of the spooky places to visit in Cleveland due to one memorial, in particular, the Haserot Angel, or Angel of Death Victorious, that is said to cry black tears.
Beautiful statues, mausoleums, and sculptures are a great reason to visit this cemetery. Read our post on Lake View Cemetery to learn about the top memorials to see during your visit.
Keep in mind this remains an active cemetery.
Address: 12316 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Landoll’s Mohican Castle, Loudonville
If you are planning an Ohio weekend getaway, at Landoll’s Mohican Castle, you can stay overnight and join the staff for a ghost walk in the property’s Heyd Cemetery. The cemetery is small but has historic graves dating back to the 1830s.
Address: 561 Township Road 3352 Loudonville, Ohio 44842
Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield
Mansfield Cemetery is unique in that it has both a Catholic Cemetery and Veteran’s Cemetery located within the graveyard.
If you’re a fan of geocaching, you’ll find several interesting caches and you’ll learn some interesting Mansfield history along the way.
Address: 389 Altamont Avenue Mansfield, Ohio 44903
Marion Cemetery, Marion
This cemetery is perhaps most famous for the “Merchant Ball,” a black granite sphere memorial erected by the Merchant family in 1896.
The cemetery also has one of the largest WWII memorials outside of Washington DC, as well as a soldiers and sailors monument. The tomb of President Harding is located across the street from the cemetery.
Address: 620 Delaware Avenue Marion, Ohio 43302
Mound Cemetery, Marietta
This cemetery was established in 1801 around the base of an Adena burial mound dating back hundreds of years. Set in a beautiful historic neighborhood of Marietta, the cemetery includes many Revolutionary War soldiers. You can also climb to the top of the mound for better views.
Address: 514 Cutler Street Marietta, Ohio 45750
Mound Hill Cemetery, Gallipolis
Dating back to 1880, this cemetery is the final resting place for at least two of the Founding French 500, as well as many Revolutionary War soldiers. It also includes a headstone for Albert Stewart, a first-class passenger who went down with the Titanic. The hilltop location affords amazing views of Gallipolis, the Ohio River, and West Virginia.
Address: OH-141 Gallipolis, Ohio 45631
New Peoli Cemetery, Port Washington
Baseball fans will want to visit this Ohio cemetery, which is the final resting place of famous pitcher Cy Young. The baseball-themed tombstone is easy to find in this small cemetery.
Address: Ohio State Route 258 Port Washington, Ohio 43837
Oak Hill Cemetery, Youngstown
Set on a hill overlooking downtown Youngstown, this cemetery features many interesting monuments and statues. Residents of the area will recognize some prominent names, as many of the area’s founders are laid to rest here.
Address: 344 Oak Hill Avenure Youngstown, Ohio 44502
Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman
The Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman provides an entire cemetery for veterans to be buried. You’ll find more than 130 memorials commemorating events and troops of the 20th-century wars.
Address: 10175 Rawiga Road Seville, Ohio 44273
Old Logan Cemetery, Logan
This 19th-century Ohio cemetery is not known so much for the tombstones, but for a giant oak tree that is estimated to be around 600 years old. That’s 300 years older than the state of Ohio! It is definitely a cool thing to see when visiting the Hocking Hills region.
Address: 470 N. Market Street Logan, Ohio 43138
Rome Presbyterian Church Revolutionary War Cemetery, Shiloh
This cemetery in Richland County is the final resting spot for Revolutionary War veterans as well as veterans from each successive war.
The oldest grave in the cemetery is from the early 1800s. Some of the tombstones are so worn that it is impossible to read.
Address: Ohio State Route 603 Shiloh, Ohio 44878
Spring Grove, Cincinnati
The third-largest cemetery in the United States is also a National Historic Landmark. Easily one of the best cemeteries in Ohio to visit, the landscaping includes several lakes, trees, and unique plants. The memorials are stunning, and you’ll find many Civil War soldiers buried here.
Check the website for special events, like the Owl Prowl, offered in conjunction with Raptor, Inc.
Read this post to learn more about the scenic views in Spring Grove Cemetery.
Address: 4521 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45232
Union Cemetery, Steubenville
Another Ohio cemetery on the National Register of Historic Places in this Union Cemetery in Steubenville. Set on a hill overlooking the Ohio River and West Virginia, this cemetery and park are teeming with wildlife. With headstones dating back to the Civil War, it’s an interesting piece of history.
Address: 1720 Sunset Boulevard Steubenville, Ohio 43952
West Lawn Cemetery, Canton
Established in 1861 on 60 acres, this Canton cemetery was originally the resting place of President McKinley until the McKinley National Memorial was established nearby. The cemetery also features one Commonwealth War grave, a Canadian WWI soldier, and a scenic stone bridge.
Address: 1919 &th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44708
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, Dayton
Incorporated in 1842, this is one of the oldest garden cemeteries in the United States. Many famous Ohioans rest here, including Wilbur and Orville Wright and their father, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, and writer Erma Bombeck.
You’ll see many unique headstones in this public cemetery including the tombstone of Johnny Morehouse, a five-year-old boy who drowned after falling into the Miami & Erie Canal. After his burial, his dog laid on his grave and wouldn’t move. His gravestone recognizes his dog’s love and devotion.
Address: 118 Woodland Avenue Dayton, Ohio 45409
Woodlawn & Arboretum Cemetery, Toledo
This historic cemetery and arboretum in Toledo is the perfect place for a quiet walk in the woods. Rolling hills, winding paths, and serene lakes make for a soothing landscape amongst historic mausoleums and monuments. There is a free self-guided tour in addition to docent-led tours in May and October.
Address: 1502 Central Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43606
Please be respectful when visiting the cemetery grounds as many are still provide funeral services and new burials.
