Photographing Crown Hill Cemetery: Indianapolis History in View
Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, takes on a particularly somber character under an overcast spring sky. Without the distraction of sunlight, the cemetery’s landscape and historical features appear more defined—stone markers, mausoleums, and tree-lined roads stand out. The subdued light draws attention to the materials and forms that define this 555-acre space, which was shaped in the 19th century as both a burial ground and a public park.
Established in 1863, Crown Hill Cemetery was part of the rural cemetery movement that sought to blend natural scenery with commemorative architecture. The early design, directed by landscape superintendent Fredrick Chislett, followed the contours of the land, emphasizing curved roads, varied elevations, and natural plantings. These choices remain evident today, particularly from vantage points like The Crown, the highest natural elevation in Marion County. From there, the grounds unfold below in a carefully arranged balance of nature and memorialization.
The cemetery’s layered history is apparent even in early spring, with mostly bare trees and low skies. The national cemetery, Civil War burial sections, and notable gravesites—including those of James Whitcomb Riley, President Benjamin Harrison, Booth Tarkington, and Eli Lilly—offer a cross-section of Indiana’s past. Crown Hill Cemetery is both a final resting place and a record of public memory, its landscape shaped by generations of planning, care, and commemoration.
