Erie Street Cemetery is a historic cemetery in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It is the city's oldest existing cemetery.HistoryThe cemetery was established in 1826 at what was then the edge of the city, taking its name from East 9th Street's original name. It was the city's first permanent cemetery, replacing a community burial ground just south of Public Square. Many of Cleveland's earliest pioneers and leaders are buried there, including Lorenzo Carter, the city's first permanent white settler; and John W. Willey, the city's first mayor. The cemetery was open to members of all faiths.During the administration of Mayor Tom L. Johnson in the early 20th century, bodies were moved from the cemetery to the municipally-owned Highland Park Cemetery, and parts of the cemetery were vacated for city streets. The Pioneers' Memorial Association was formed in 1915 to advocate for the cemetery. In 1925, its future was secured when City Manager William R. Hopkins decided to build the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge around, rather than through, the cemetery.Improvements and maintenance have been performed by groups including the Works Progress Administration and the Cleveland Grays. It was designated as an official Ohio historical site in October 2009, and it is a Cleveland City Landmark. Honors students at Cuyahoga Community College have conducted research about people buried in the cemetery.
