Ron J
Active member
What we have here, is just as it says... Bellevue Cemetery Brick Stable, built in 1894... I noticed this fabulous building, and Plaque mounted on it front wall. I had to stop, read it, and photograph it!. While doing so, I met a Cemetery Employee, who was more than willing to share his knowledge of the premises.
The building is in great shape outside, slate roof, cupola on roof, with a good ol New England Weather vane..The Cemetery dates from 1847, located in Lawrence Massachusetts, an old mill town...... What a piece of history..
I can only guess, Horses were used in the burial process, along time ago, perhaps to haul wagons with equipment, shovels etc. or even to haul a coffin to a burial site. Speaking to the Cemetery employee, who by the way was a gentleman, with quite a lot of knowledge of the building, I learned quite a bit... Horses were berthed in the Cellar of the Stable. Remember, what you are viewing is located in the cellar, NOT street level. The photo's are quite deceiving... There had been a dugout entrance in the rear of the building, so the horses could be led into the stalls located in the cellar. It appears the street level of the building had been for workers and equipment, such as wagons, shovels etc. Over the years, when there were heavy rains, the cellar would flood up to almost floor level! To eliminate the flooding, the horse entrance was filled in, and the stone foundation rebuilt. So no more exterior entrance to the lower floor, except through the interior, down a stairway.. In the photo's there is obvious evidence of flooding, as nothing has been touched in years...just left thing the way they were.. as if timed just stopped. I have no idea, what year, Horses were no longer needed for this type of job. I cannot believe, the cellar stable is untouched....
It is a rare experience to find such a place as this. New England, at its best!
Rj
The building is in great shape outside, slate roof, cupola on roof, with a good ol New England Weather vane..The Cemetery dates from 1847, located in Lawrence Massachusetts, an old mill town...... What a piece of history..
I can only guess, Horses were used in the burial process, along time ago, perhaps to haul wagons with equipment, shovels etc. or even to haul a coffin to a burial site. Speaking to the Cemetery employee, who by the way was a gentleman, with quite a lot of knowledge of the building, I learned quite a bit... Horses were berthed in the Cellar of the Stable. Remember, what you are viewing is located in the cellar, NOT street level. The photo's are quite deceiving... There had been a dugout entrance in the rear of the building, so the horses could be led into the stalls located in the cellar. It appears the street level of the building had been for workers and equipment, such as wagons, shovels etc. Over the years, when there were heavy rains, the cellar would flood up to almost floor level! To eliminate the flooding, the horse entrance was filled in, and the stone foundation rebuilt. So no more exterior entrance to the lower floor, except through the interior, down a stairway.. In the photo's there is obvious evidence of flooding, as nothing has been touched in years...just left thing the way they were.. as if timed just stopped. I have no idea, what year, Horses were no longer needed for this type of job. I cannot believe, the cellar stable is untouched....
It is a rare experience to find such a place as this. New England, at its best!
Rj
