Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a place where history, nature, and architecture converge. Recognized as a US National Historic Landmark, it ranks as the third largest cemetery in the United States. Established in 1844, it has evolved beyond a traditional cemetery, serving as a stunning park and botanical garden. Spanning over 733 acres, it boasts a diverse collection of native and exotic flora, including 500 species of woody plants and 1,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials. The cemetery is also the final resting place for many notable figures, including Civil War Generals and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients. Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum offers a serene and enriching experience, whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or an admirer of architectural beauty.
Landmark Name
Location
Year Established
Significance
Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum
4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio
1844
A nonprofit rural cemetery and arboretum. It is the third largest cemetery in the United States and is recognized as a US National Historic Landmark.
Size
Arboretum Accreditation
Flora
Events
733 acres
Level III, Morton Arboretum Register
500 species of woody plants, 1,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials
Public and private walking/tram/bus tours, Norman Chapel Holiday Concert, Candlelight Vigil, Holiday Remembrance Service
Learn More
Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum is a nonprofit rural cemetery and arboretum located at 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the third largest cemetery in the United States, after the Calverton National Cemetery and Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and is recognized as a US National Historic Landmark.
The cemetery dates from 1844, when members of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society formed a cemetery association. They took their inspiration from contemporary rural cemeteries such as Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The numerous springs and groves suggested the name “Spring Grove”. On December 1, 1844, Salmon P. Chase and others prepared the Articles of Incorporation. The cemetery was designed by Howard Daniels and formally chartered on January 21, 1845. The first burial took place on September 1, 1845.
In 1855, Adolph Strauch, a renowned landscape architect, was hired to beautify the grounds. His sense and layout of the “garden cemetery” made of lakes, trees and shrubs, is what visitors today still see. He created a more open landscape by setting limits on private enclosures and monument heights. The results of the redesign earned Strauch praise in the U.S. and abroad, including from Frederick Law Olmsted and the French landscape architect Edouard André.
Spring Grove’s Arboretum is proud to be a Level III Accredited site, as awarded by the Morton Arboretum Register. The mission of Spring Grove’s Arboretum is to collect and display woody plants to enhance the educational, outreach, and research opportunities for its visitors. The Arboretum continues to focus on plant selections and their use in managed urban landscapes throughout the Midwest. In addition to managing and expanding existing selections, another goal of the Arboretum is to establish new collections of Midwest natives and nonindigenous species, and ultimately, to develop gardens that express and promote the vital relationship that exists between plants and people.
Today, its 733 acres are populated with an extensive collection of native and exotic flora, including at least 500 species of woody plants and 1,000 trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials labeled for research purposes. As an outdoor classroom, Spring Grove’s tree walk provides community members with the opportunity to better understand, appreciate, and steward trees, and enjoy many plants across the seasons.
Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. These include public and private walking/tram/bus tours offered from April through October. The tours allow visitors to experience Spring Grove’s art, history, architecture, and horticulture in person. Other notable events include the Norman Chapel Holiday Concert, Candlelight Vigil, and Holiday Remembrance Service.
Notable burials at Spring Grove Cemetery include Civil War Generals, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients, and individuals like Major General Joseph Hooker. The cemetery also houses the Dexter Mausoleum and the graves of Revolutionary War Soldiers.
