LeMoyne Crematory

The LeMoyne Crematory was the first crematory in the United States.[3] Francis Julius LeMoyne had it built in 1876 on his own land, perched atop a location known locally as Gallow's Hill in North Franklin Township near Washington, Pennsylvania. The first cremation took place on December 6, 1876. LeMoyne believed that cremation was a more sanitary way to dispose of bodies, preventing the contamination of drinking water.[4] After 41 more cremations there (with LeMoyne being the third, in 1879), the crematory was closed in 1901. LeMoyne's remains are buried there.[2]

LeMoyne Crematory
LeMoyne Crematory is located in Pennsylvania
LeMoyne Crematory
LeMoyne Crematory is located in the United States
LeMoyne Crematory
LocationJct. of Redstone Rd. and Elm St., NW corner, North Franklin Township, Washington, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°9′38″N 80°14′16″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1876
ArchitectDye, John
NRHP reference No.96000078[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPFebruary 16, 1996
Designated PHMCAugust 01, 1953[2]

It is a brick 20 x 30 one-story building.[4]

Timeline

Dr. Francis LeMoyne believed that cremation was a more sanitary way to dispose of bodies, preventing the contamination of drinking water.[4] The structure was built in 1876, with the first cremation took place on December 6, 1876. Baron Joseph Henry Louis Charles De Palm, an impoverished Bavarian noble, was the first person to be cremated here.[5]

After 41 more cremations there (with Dr. LeMoyne being the third, in 1879), the crematory was closed in 1901. The final cremation had occurred the year prior, on November 28, 1900, after Mrs. Mary S. Booth's remains were disposed of in the retort.[5]

The crematory in recent history

In 1953, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission installed a historical marker noting the historic importance of the crematory.[2] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 16, 1996.[1] It is designated as a historic public landmark by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation.[4]

Today, the structure can be found in the same location off of South Main Street. The Washington County Historical Society occasionally offers limited tours.[4]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "LeMoyne Crematory – PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  3. "LeMoyne Crematory". aCremation.com.
  4. "LeMoyne Crematory". Landmark Registry – Public Landmark. Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation. 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  5. "The Washington Reporter". news.google.com. Retrieved October 12, 2016 – via Google News Archive Search.
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