Mount Auburn Cemetery (Baltimore, Maryland) facts for kids
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Mount Auburn Cemetery
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Mount Auburn Cemetery, December 2011
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| Location | 2614 Annapolis Rd., Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Area | 34 acres (14 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| Architect | Pinkney, Roland Sr. |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Classical Revival, et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000456 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 7, 2001 |
Mount Auburn Cemetery is a special and historic cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is a place where many important African Americans are buried. This cemetery is also a national historic district. It sits near the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River. The cemetery is surrounded by several Baltimore neighborhoods. These include Cherry Hill, Westport, Mount Winans, and Lakeland.
History of Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery is one of the oldest and largest African American cemeteries in Baltimore. It was started in 1872 by Reverend James Peck. He created it because African Americans faced segregation. This meant they were kept separate from white people, even in death. The cemetery covers about 34 acres (13.7 hectares) of land. More than 55,000 people are buried there.
This cemetery was once known as "The City of the Dead for Colored People." This was because it was often the only place where African Americans could be buried. The land was originally part of a farm. It was given to the Methodist Church. The Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church was put in charge of the cemetery. Over the years, parts of the cemetery were not well cared for. However, its importance to history remains strong.
Mount Auburn Cemetery holds the remains of many important people. These include leaders of the local civil rights movement. You can find runaway slaves, brave soldiers, and community leaders here. There are also early African American lawyers, doctors, teachers, and business owners. Many people who founded national fraternities and sororities are also buried here. This cemetery is a resting place for thousands of African American families.
Mount Auburn Cemetery was recognized for its importance in 2001. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Important People Buried Here
Many notable individuals are buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery. They made big differences in their communities and the nation.
- Joe Gans (1874-1910)
- Joe Gans was a very famous boxer. He was the first African American lightweight boxing champion in the world. He held this title from 1901 to 1908.
- William Ashbie Hawkins (1862-1941)
- William Ashbie Hawkins was an important lawyer in Baltimore. He was one of the first African American lawyers in the city. He also became a leader in the African Methodist Church.
- Lillie Mae Carroll Jackson (1889-1975)
- Lillie Mae Carroll Jackson was a brave civil rights activist. She worked hard for equal rights for African Americans. She helped bring the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to Baltimore. She led the Baltimore NAACP for 35 years.
- Edgar Amos Love (September 10, 1891 – May 1, 1974)
- Edgar Amos Love was one of the three people who started the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. This is a national fraternity for college men.
