Pittsburgh's Homewood Cemetery-a photo essay

When it comes to the Industrial Age in America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was the place for it all. Individuals who grew up with next to nothing would go on to become some of the wealthiest men in the world. The late 19th century brought about the creation of a modern industrial economy, one in which the city of Pittsburgh played a pivotal role. Steel, coke, iron, banking-it was all here, led by men who at the time were called “titans of industry” but today are known as robber barons due to the innumerable ways in which they illegally amassed their fortunes.

Homewood Cemetery is a historic, nonsectarian burial ground that is located in Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood. It was established in 1878 and today comprises 200 acres. While there are numerous “average” tombstones, the cemetery is also home to countless mausoleums, some larger than probably the average New York City studio apartment.

There are countless individuals buried here that are well known in the city of Pittsburgh but probably the most famous one on a national scale is Henry Clay Frick who in my opinion was one of the worst of the robber barons due to his cruel and heinous practices towards unions and rights for his workers.

Just like Allegheny Cemetery, Homewood is a unique spot to visit in the city. It’s a place teeming with history whether it is seeing the ornate mausoleum of a famous person or coming across the tombstone of a four month old. I’ve visited Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and excluding the fact that Recoleta is completely flat whereas Homewood is situated on Pittsburgh’s famous hills, Homewood definitely reminded me of it.