North Kirtland Cemetery

Kirtland
A.K.A. Temple Cemetery

North Kirtland cemetery, even though it is right across Maple Street from the famous Kirtland Temple, is not, and never has been, a church cemetery. Most people have always called it “The Temple Cemetery” for its proximity to the famous landmark. This City of Kirtland, previously Kirtland Township, cemetery predates the Mormon movement and migration of 1830. In fact, in a quick survey of the readings, the earliest burial date on a stone seems to be Oct. 1, 1828. This is the stone of William Cahoon, a Revolutionary War Veteran who died at age 63. His lovely old brownstone headstone is typical of the grave markers of the time, sporting a lovely willow tree engraving on a head – and – shoulders shape. The wrought iron fence around the cemetery sets off this type of stone very nicely.

The most interesting part of the history of this cemetery is of its interred, especially during the Mormon times in Kirtland from 1830 to 1838. The town was booming at the time, with very heavy population compared to the rest of the county. This very important part of the history of Kirtland and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints is well documented in many sources, in the stories of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Brigham Young and their community and are worth reading. The Saints were not well treated by many of the locals for religious and financial reasons, and there was much violence at the time. The Saints left Kirtland in 1838, leaving everything, but the town population was never, to this day, to regain its numbers.

A monument in the back of Section B, at the crest of the hill, which is scheduled for replacement in the near future, reads:

“To the memory of two who symbolize the abounding faith, courage and fortitude of the pioneer women of the Church. Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.”

Care of this cemetery and the rest of the City of Kirtland cemeteries lies in the hands of the sexton. In her book, 20th Century Memoirs of Kirtland, Ohio (Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1997), Grace E. Parks says, “The sextons I remember are Brad Westbrook, Orville Ebeling, Lawrence Hunkin, and Tim Parks. Larry Spence is the current sexton.” Mr. Spence is still at his post, and the cemeteries are well cared for.

Sections A and B are the old sections, and they lie on and about what might appear to be an Indian burial mound, but no evidence of this has been found. The appearance is that of a very old cemetery with marble and brownstone monuments mixed with granite replacement stones and monuments and some new burials. A newly painted tall flagpole adorns Section A. Rows in sections A and B, on the corner of State Route 306 and Maple Street were read from Rte. 306 west, and the stones were read from south to north.

Section C is also old, and in fact appears older than the earlier sections, with an old brownstone from 1838. There is a tall granite monument with an 1833 date. The section slopes down toward Conley Road. The rows in this section were read from the back, west to east, and the stones from south to north.

Section E is on the far north side of the cemetery, at the corner of Route 306 and Conley Road. Next to section C, it is a narrow strip with only flush stones permitted. The rows were read from east to west and stones from south.to north.

Section D is in the back of the cemetery, in the lower area, and has almost entirely granite memorials. Death dates in this section date back to 1909. The rows were read from south to north and the stones from west to east.

Section D1 is further back from Section D. The cemetery map considers this all section D, but there is a dividing path. The earliest death date on a stone here is 1913. The rows were read from south to north and the stones from west to east.

Note: Duplicate stone numbers indicate multiple persons inscribed on the same stone as detailed in the inscription column.