Grandview Cemetery of Johnstown

     Cemeteries have always seemed to attract me. Mainly due to the history of the people who reside in them and the architecture of the stones, statues, and mausoleums. The presence of spirits and paranormal activity also intrigues me. However for this road trip to the Grandview Cemetery in

Johnstown PA, I went to witness the lives cut short by the Johnstown Flood of 1889. The flood itself I will save for another time to talk about.
     Due to an increasing population in the early years of Johnstown, a new cemetery was needed. In 1884 negotiations started to form a committee and find a suitable place to have the cemetery. In 1886, the committee finally found and purchased a piece of land on Yoder hill. The land was bought from the Cambria Iron Company which used it as a pasture ground for the mules and horses they needed for the mines in the area. In an unfortunate turn of events, it seemed that the cemetery was founded just

in time. In 1989 the new cemetery would put to rest the 2000+ flood victims. A plot was designated to them with a monument that was dedicated in 1982. 
     Grandview Cemetery today is one of the largest in Pennsylvania with about 235 acres of land. The cemetery sits just west of Johnstown and has a beautiful view. Be prepared if you visit this cemetery, more than 10 miles of paved roads connect the 47 burial sections. A few friends and me decided to visit the cemetery in the summer and could not have asked for a better day. The weather was just warm enough and partly cloudy to accommodate a comfortable walk. The cemetery entrance is at
801 Millcreek Rd. in Johnstown, PA. When you do choose to visit please be respectful and take in the artistic beauty of the monuments and markers.