The morning started in the cool mid-60s and I figured it was a good day to visit a local cemetery with a rather imposing gatehouse. A gatehouse which catches one's eye as one rides on busy Alameda Avenue near the intersection of Quebec Street.
Fairmount Cemetery Gatehouse
2013
Fairmount Cemetery Gatehouse
circa 1890-1910
source: DPL: c-123
Being a cemetery, which are places not known to change a lot, it's not surprising that the gatehouse is pretty much the way it was over a hundred years ago. The steeple tower missing is a shame, in my opinion.
The gatehouse no longer serves as the main entry point to the cemetery, there's now a driveway to the east of the gatehouse for that purpose. I rode in with Valencia, my 2011 URAL Patrol Sidecar and parked in the back of the gatehouse to soak in the historic atmosphere.
Driving a little further into the cemetery, one comes upon the Little Ivy Chapel, a very picturesque structure overlooking the older section of the cemetery.
Little Ivy Chapel
2013
Little Ivy Chapel
circa 1893-1900
source: DPL: z2830
A closeup view of the chapel's towering adornments.
The Chapel stands as proudly as it did over 100 years ago, a testament to its builders, wouldn't you say?
I motored about the older sections of the cemetery, rolling slowing past large and small mausoleum sites engraved with common names and also famous names. There was even a section designated as the Military Graves section where Colorado's military members rest in peace.
The World War II Section
The early morning sunlight precluded much shooting of the other interesting points in the cemetery, another day at another hour perhaps. I left the cemetery to the few bicyclists I saw slowly meandering the lanes between the cemetery's sections.
Here's some more information about the Fairmount Cemetery, along with a list of notables buried there: LINK
Here's a link to a series of pictures of the gravestones found in the Fairmount Cemetery: LINK
Update: Added then and now pics of the Fairmount Mausoleum Building on the southern end of the cemetery:
Here's some more information about the Fairmount Cemetery, along with a list of notables buried there: LINK
Here's a link to a series of pictures of the gravestones found in the Fairmount Cemetery: LINK
Update: Added then and now pics of the Fairmount Mausoleum Building on the southern end of the cemetery:
Fairmount Mausoleum
2013
circa 1920-1930
source: DPL RH-370
8 comments:
Isn't that amazing how buildings and architecture outlast us? It's not without a sense of irony that you posted from a cemetery ;-)
The Little Ivy Chapel hasn't changed a bit. Please continue with the Then and Now pics. I find them very interesting.
Thanks SonjaM, I surely will continue as I find these gems.
Not quite the longevity of the older surviving buildings in Europe but still worth a ride to visit.
Very cool. Yes, I'm also very much enjoying the Then and Now posts.
I too am enjoying the Then and Now posts. Tis a shame the spire is long gone but it is nice that the chapel is so unchanged. You can really tell how much the trees have grown too.
Lucky and Trobairitz, glad you both are enjoying the series....working on some more.
Denver is built on what is known as "High Plains Desert" I believe, so trees were not in great abundance back in the day, not to mention most were cut down to build houses!
Dom:
I know you do a lot of research into these "before and after" photos. We don't have a lot of history here. Seems like anything over 20 years old is ripped down and rebuilt.
Too bad that steeple was cut down. It looked better before
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
7sep13: added then/now photo of the mausoleum building at the cemetery that I missed the first time around.
Bobskoot, I agree, the gatehouse looked better with the steeple. Thanks for visiting.
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