In 1858, the only public cemetery in the Honesdale area was what is often called the “Old Methodist” cemetery because it was located above the site of the first Methodist church. Actually, the site belonged then and now to the borough. The inhabitants of the town felt that a more attractive cemetery should be provided for the community and in 1859 organized the Honesdale Cemetery Company. The site’s natural beauty was in keeping with the ideas of the day.

Park-like cemeteries were designed to encourage the living to stroll and even picnic amid artistic gravestones and lush surroundings. Many handsome and costly monuments were erected for prominent citizens. Indeed, there almost seemed to be a competition among the local moguls to outshine each other even after death.

Among the notables buried there are artist Jennie Brownscombe, author/attorney Homer Greene and Samuel E. Dimmick, once Pennsylvania’s attorney general.

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society 810 Main St., Honesdale. The museum and research library are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. and museum only 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.