Friends of Oak Grove Cemetery » Photo of the Week

1890 Photos

administrator — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:38:50 +0000

The following two photographs appeared in Century magazine, in an article which described Oak Grove Cemetery as a memorial park setting and mentioned several famous people buried here. The first is of the arch as it appeared in 1890, showing the ivy. The second is the Hargrave crypt, which is built into a ridge, also dated 1890. The Hargrave family were operators of a large soap manufacturing business in the city.

A trade card and 1883 image of the Hargrave Soap Manufacturing Co.

Filed under: Extraordinary Tombstones and Monuments, Navigating Oak Grove, Photo of the Week, The History of Oak Grove Tagged: Hargraves Soap Fall River

New Year’s Twilight 2011

administrator — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 02:57:15 +0000

Photographs labeled WC were taken by Will Clawson, SD by Shelley Dziedzic on the Friday after New Year’s Day. The ground was particularly warm hitting the cold air, and a very theatrical misty effect was the result!

Filed under: Borden Family Plot, Cemetery Structures, Extraordinary Tombstones and Monuments, Photo of the Week, Potpourri Tagged: Will Clawson

Early Days at Oak Grove

administrator — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:24:10 +0000

It’s hard to know exactly the date of this photograph. The view is in front of the office building. Oxen were frequently used to haul the granite up to the cemetery on sledges. The arch was erected in 1873. To see the image at full size, click on the photo above. (photo courtesy of Oak Grove Cemetery).

Filed under: Cemetery Structures, Granite Industry, Photo of the Week, The History of Oak Grove

Arches, gates and doors

administrator — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:58:32 +0000

This particularly beautiful tall arch is to be found in the central west end of Oak Grove and is a familiar symbol of passing through from one state to another- from earthly to celestial, from life to the hereafter.

There are smaller arches, gateways and doors to be found in Oak Grove, some found carved onto tabular monuments and others carved completely as the symbol itself. This one has an Egyptian inspiration- complete with canopic jar.

Posted in Extraordinary Tombstones and Monuments, Granite Industry, Photo of the Week, Potpourri, Victorian Funeral Symbolism Tagged: Victorian Symbolism in Funeral Monuments

August 4th Visitors to the Borden Plot

administrator — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 02:52:44 +0000

Every August 4th, traffic to the Borden plot in Oak Grove increases. Flowers, notes, stones, coins and other mementos are left at the grave site of Lizzie Borden. More rarely are the victims, the elderly couple, Andrew and Abby Borden remembered with tokens. The burial plot is easily found by following the black arrows painted on the asphalt to the left after passing under the Prospect Street arch.

William Almy , Andrew Borden’s business partner, and his family share the raised corner knoll. Head stones for Lizzie’s grandparents face out toward the road at the front of the lot.

Many individuals associated with the trial and with the Borden family, as well as friends and neighbors have found their final rest in Oak Grove.