You probably know Mt Hope Cemetery for its haunting atmosphere, its legendary ghost stories, and its reputation as one of the most haunted cemeteries in America. But there’s so much more to this historic graveyard than just paranormal activity. Mt Hope is home to some of Rochester’s oldest and most interesting sites. It is located at 1133 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY 14620. It’s also one of the best-kept secrets in upstate New York. You won’t find many travelers here because most people don’t even realize the cemetery exists; it’s not on any maps and it doesn’t have a sign marking its entrance. However, if you plan on exploring a few cemeteries while you are in Rochester, Mt Hope is definitely one that you should check out!
What to See at Mt Hope Cemetery in Rochester NY
Mt Hope Cemetery was the final resting place for some of Rochester’s most prominent citizens. There are thousands of graves, monuments, and mausoleums scattered throughout the grounds, but here are a few of the most notable ones: – Andrew Carnegie – The industrialist Andrew Carnegie was born and died in Rochester. Carnegie was a successful businessman. He founded the Carnegie Steel Company and Carnegie Steel Company of Canada. He was also a philanthropist, who donated money to many causes. – Horatio Alger Jr. – Author and prominent figure in America’s Progressive Era, Horatio Alger Jr. is buried in Mt Hope Cemetery. He is best known for his literary series about boys who have big dreams and struggle with poverty to achieve them. – Gen. George C. Rousseau – Gen. Rousseau was a Revolutionary War soldier who was buried in Mt Hope. He was buried here because he contracted tuberculosis while serving his country. – Gen. Jacob C. Wall – Gen. Wall was a Civil War veteran who was buried in Mt Hope Cemetery. He was buried here because he contracted tuberculosis while serving his country.
The history of Mt Hope Cemetery
Mount Hope Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Rochester. The land was first used to bury “new” bodies in 1790. However, the first burial there was not until 1797. The cemetery is roughly four miles from downtown Rochester, making it a nice quiet getaway from the big city. And yet, it is also a significant part of Rochester’s history. Mount Hope Cemetery is commonly believed to be haunted. Numerous online reports and legends claim that the place is haunted by a variety of ghosts, including a headless specter, a man in a top hat, a ghostly horse, and a woman in a long flowing dress. Many people believe that the ghostly horse is the specter of a woman buried in the cemetery who died in a carriage accident. Others believe that the headless ghost is the headstone of a man who died in a fall while working on his barn. There are also rumors that the ghost of a headless horseman haunts the cemetery.
Tips for Visiting Mt Hope Cemetery in Rochester NY
Explore the historic mausoleums – Many of the historic monuments are designed in a style called “Italianate” and were built in the mid-1800s. These mausoleums are beautifully decorated and are a sight to behold. – Explore the cemetery – Whether you want to spend your time wandering the paths or exploring the historic and iconic mausoleums, you will be in for a great time at Mt Hope Cemetery. Visit the visitor center and shop – The visitor center is centrally located and easy to find. The shop sells local products and has a nice selection of mementos and cemetery merchandise, including a ton of beautiful, decorative grave markers. – Take a ghost tour or two – If you are looking for a way to truly immerse yourself in the spooky atmosphere at Mt Hope Cemetery, consider taking a ghost tour. Visit during the fall – Fall is the best season to visit Mt Hope Cemetery because it is when the leaves change colors, making it even more scenic.
Where is Mt Hope Cemetery?
Mount Hope is a quiet, secluded section of the city that is easily missed. It is nestled in the woods next to a highway and is not visible from the street. It’s not on any maps, so you will have to know where it is to find it. The easiest way to find it is to follow the directions below: – Get on the Rochester Subway – Take the subway to the North Clinton stop – Walk through the North Clinton Cemetery gates – Look for a road on the right side of the cemetery that takes you to Mt Hope Cemetery entrance
Conclusion
Mt Hope Cemetery is one of Rochester’s best-kept secrets. You will be amazed at how beautiful and eerie this historic graveyard is. Explore the historic monuments, take a ghost tour, visit the visitor center and shop, and explore the grounds at Mt Hope Cemetery. You will be glad you did! Mt Hope is truly one of Rochester’s most interesting cemeteries and deserves to be explored by more visitors.