History Summary of Chestnut Hill Cemetery
Founded in 1862 by an act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Chestnut Hill Cemetery is one of the Mechanicsburg area's most historic landmarks. The cemetery today continues a tradition of service to families 150 years after its founding.
Chestnut Hill Cemetery is owned and operated by the Chestnut Hill Cemetery Association, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation. The Association is governed by a six-member Board of Managers. Full History of Chestnut Hill CemeteryOn January 16, 1862, a public meeting was held in the Mechanicsburg Town Hall for the purpose of forming a cemetery association to provide for a public burial ground. Several other meetings followed, and it was determined the association would be named "The Chestnut Hill Cemetery Association."
Believing it to be the best land adapted to a burial ground, 18 acres of land on what was then known as Harkness Hill were purchased. On April 5, 1862, the Pennsylvania General Assembly granted a charter to the Association, which |
was represented by John C. Dunlap, James Graham, Levi F. Eberly, Levi Kauffman, David Swiler, Daniel Comfort, Henry F. Fells, Solomon P. Gorgas, George W. Wilson, R.W. Oswald, and their successors.
H.F. Bridges was employed to survey and lay out the grounds showing lots and driveways. Shade and ornamental trees were secured, and it is believed that some exist to this day.
H.F. Bridges was employed to survey and lay out the grounds showing lots and driveways. Shade and ornamental trees were secured, and it is believed that some exist to this day.
The Confederate invasion of Mechanicsburg caused work on improvements to the cemetery to be delayed in October 1863. Various publications indicate that Confederate forces, led by General Jenkins, believed the cemetery to be a Union encampment. It is said that Jenkins, after viewing mounds of dirt on the hill through a telescope, came to this conclusion. In reality, the mounding of dirt was most likely attributable to the development of driveways/roads within the cemetery.
In the years that have followed, additional acreage has been added to the cemetery, and three mausoleums have been built. Two mausoleums are private, while one public mausoleum contains 125 crypts. The following individuals currently serve on the Board of Managers: Nancy Griffie (President), Raymond Palmer (Treasurer), Maureen Asper (Secretary). |