Saturday, August 17, 2019

Woodlawn

Woodlawn Cemetery is in the north end of Guelph, a short walk away from where my father lives. It has roots in the 19th century, opened in 1854 to replace an older cemetery in the core of the city. Early interments at that cemetery were moved here. Forty acres of land were initially bought, with expansions after that. The cemetery has the peculiar distinction of having a railroad track run through its grounds. It serves as a final resting place for many. My maternal grandparents are here, as is my mother.


There is a commemoration along one of the pathways, with the Union Jack beside it. It pays tribute to six local men who gave their lives in the First World War.


The last time I was here was in a winter visit, with the cemetery covered in snow and the aftermath of freezing rain. It's different in summer.


This grave I took note of during that last visit. It has wide stone wings, and seems too over the top for me.


Other graves have character, especially this one topped with a cross.


This one I really liked, with the bears.


Today I finish with this poignant one, the grave of a child. The motif of a lamb on a gravestone is a marker of the death of a child. More from here to come.

36 comments:

  1. Our graveyards look completely different, there is not only a stone but a whole grave with flowers or plants or simply a marble top or another stone slab. Only in the UK I have seen cemetaries like yours.

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  2. Hello, I love all the animals. The lion, bears and the lamb. It is a beautiful cemetery and resting place. Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

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  3. ...Woodlawn is a common and appropriate for a cemetery. This one has a fabulous collection of memorials and I've seen my sharing 'Little Lamb' graves.

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  4. Walking through an old cemetery is enjoyable to me.

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  5. @Nancy: quite so.

    @Gattina: this is typical here.

    @Sandi: Aslan indeed.

    @Eileen: thank you.

    @Tom: thanks!

    @Marie: me too.

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  6. I used to walk through a cemetery daily near my home in Colorado. It was a peaceful place, like this one seems to be as well. I too like the bears.

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  7. Woodlawn is beautifully looked after William, the children's gravestones are lovely but oh so sad ✨

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  8. Sorry your Mom is no longer around.
    I like the lion, of course.
    The lamb sure is a sad one.

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  9. A huge and well-cared-for cemetery speaks highly of a community...respect for elders...or in the case of lambs, the sudden death of children. I am reminded how I like walking in cemeteries too.

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  10. I like walking around cemeteries. The two I walk around most days are pretty small.
    Have never seen a gravestone with bears like that on it. I like it.

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  11. When I go back home I make sure I tour the cemeteries.

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  12. Woodlawn must be a common name for cemeteries. My home town in Illinois also had a Woodlawn.

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  13. Old cemeteries have long fascinated me ...so much history with a human twist. (And philosophy).

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  14. I agree with Gattina; it has a very English feel, though I don't think I know a cemetery with a railway running through it. I seem to recall that the old song "Freight Train" has some words about wanting to be buried beside the railroad track, so that would be the ideal place. It's always interesting to see how tastes change over time.

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  15. I love strolls through old cemetaries! Tweeted.

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  16. I've walked through cemetieries and find it very peaceful. I enjoy reading the headstones and like the one with the bears.

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  17. It is always an interesting but sad walk for me in a cemetery so I don't tend to do it.

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  18. @DJan: the bears were a surprise.

    @Grace: I agree.

    @Iris: in some respects it was not an easy visit. It was the first time I've seen the gravestone.

    @Barbara: I find them very peaceful indeed.

    @Happyone: it felt quite unique.

    @Red: cemeteries are good for that.

    @Sharon: that doesn't surprise me.

    @Sallie: quite so.

    @John: I think it's likely that the cemetery bought the land on the other side of the track at some point. I don't know how much rail traffic goes through there, but I doubt it's much.

    @Mari: thank you.

    @Bill: I agree.

    @RedPat: I like it.

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  19. This cemetery is lovely ~ great photos!

    Happy Day to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  20. Cemeteries can be such an education. Cemeteries especially in our poorer southern states have such stark burials of children. Plots are marked by cinder blocks, with notes stuffed in. Sad, and important.

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  21. I expect this is prettier in the summer than winter. It certainly seems pretty and peaceful.

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  22. It is a most beautiful cemetery, so peaceful, a very nice resting place... although sad to read that your mother and maternal grandparents are buried there. I hope your visit was not too sad.

    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    Replies
    1. No. Time heals wounds. Or you at least learn in time to live with them.

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  23. i enjoy the lion, the lambs always make me sad ... usually those are young children. my parents lost my sister at a young age ... that would be so lovely. i wish i had known her. looks like a peaceful place. ( ;

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  24. I'm very fond of cemeteries in a way -- they are such a part of history and always so peaceful. I love the lamb but what a sad loss...

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