Back in 1865 when Rev. Absalom Peters opened the cemetery,The Bronx was still considered "the country." Rolling hills and tree lined roads weave it's way around this elegant patch of peace and quiet. Even today people escape the hustle and bustle of the city and take long walks in the cemetery.

It's first resident was aptly named - Phebe Underhill. From the opening to the present, titans of industry, political moguls, luminaries of literature and music made their way to lie under the green grass of Woodlawn Cemetery.

There are so many famous people that have been buried here, that it is hard to know where to start, or where to end!

David Glasgow Farragut - Our first American Admiral, he said "Damn the torpedoes-full speed ahead,"  during the Civil War.

George Washington Delong - An Arctic Explorer with 19 of his men, set sail to the North Pole. The ship became stuck in the ice, and for 21 months they were trapped. The ship was crushed by the ice.

Nellie Bly - A notable journalist for "The World" traveled around the world in 72 days. This to break a record set by Jules Verne's fictional character Phileas Frogg.

William Barclay -gunslinger, turned sports-writer. We all know him by his other name - Bat Masterson!

Herman Melville-He is buried next to his wife Elizabeth Shaw. Melville, a customs clerk, never quit his civil service job even after he wrote one of America's most famous novels "Moby Dick."

Joseph Pulitzer - The man for whom journalism's top prize is named. He died in 1911, his will set up an endowment to Columbia University.To establish  annual Pulitzer Prizes for literature, drama, journalism and music.

Six New York City mayors are resting in Woodlawn's grassy plots. The most famous was the beloved Fiorello LaGuardia - "The Little Flower" as he was known to New Yorkers. He was the mayor from 1934 to 1945. He died in 1947. They named a New York City airport after him.

He started a five and ten cent store in Lancaster Pa. in 1879. In his time, he built the world's tallest building and an international empire of 1,000 stores. He was Frank Winfield Woolworth.

Some other notable retail giants that rest in Woodlawn are James Cash (J. C. Penney), Roland H. Macy, Charles Loehmann and Franklin Simon.

He was a part of the "Gashouse Gang" The second-baseman for the St.Louis Cardinals - A Hall Of Famer- "The Fordham Flash" Frankie Frish

Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle - A Hollywood comic whose career was ruined by a drunken party, a bottle and a dead young starlet.

Sara Walker - She came from poverty in the Deep South. This entrepreneur is believed to be the first American-Black millionaire. The cosmetic baroness died in 1919.

The world of entertainment, and some of America's music giants find their final resting place in Woodlawn - They include:

George M. Cohan - The nation's most famous composer of patriotic tunes. He composed "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy."  His statue can be found in the Time Square area. He was portrayed in the Silver Screen by James Cagney.

Miles Davis -  Bandleader and Jazz trumpeter died in 1991.

Duke Ellington (The Duke) - Born in Washington, DC in 1899. He came to Harlem in 1922 and changed the face of music in America. He was one of the first bandleaders who wrote music ranging from pop songs to symphony orchestra pieces. When this Jazz genius died in 1974 he had over 900 compositions published. His most famous was "Take the 'A' Train."

Irving Berlin- In 1911, the 23 year old composer, shot to the top of International stardom with his song "Alexander's Ragtown Band." He did not know how to write music, but boy, could he write songs! For 50 years he cranked out hit after hit -" God Bless America," " White Christmas," "Blue Skies" and "There's No Business Like Show Business." There's just too many to list! He also produced some 1500 songs and Broadway musicals. Like "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Call Me Madam." Even today, his musical's are still box office hits on Broadway! Mr. Berlin died in 1989 at the age of 101.

350,000 people call Woodlawn their 'home' and the community is still growing. But don't get me wrong - It's not all filled with the rich and famous. Take George Spencer Millet, he lost his life at the age of 15. It seems that he fell and was stabbed by an ink eraser! He was evading six young women, who were trying to give him a birthday kiss!

The iron ornate gates to Woodlawn Cemetery are opened every day. So if you're in New York City for a visit, and the Midtown hustle and bustle gets to you.... Come on up to the mainland and visit. It's such a quiet place!

"Woodlawn Remembered" by Edward Bergman-1988

Mike, Staff Writer and Researcher
NOTE: The photographs included with this article were taken personally by Mike, on his tour of Woodlawn Cemetey