If you’re a fan of the macabre, the mysterious, and the downright bizarre, then you’re in for a treat. Across the United States, cemeteries are home to tombstones that are not only unique in design but also steeped in urban legends and eerie tales. Let’s take a tour of some of the most intriguing and spooky tombstones that exist in cemeteries across the country.
The Devil’s Chair – Cassadaga, Florida
In the 19th century, it was common for cemeteries to include stone benches, known as “mourning chairs,” where visitors could sit and reflect. Over time, as the practice faded, these chairs became the center of local legends and superstitions.
This infamous brick bench in Lake Helen-Cassadaga Cemetery is shrouded in legend. Locals say that if you sit in the chair at midnight, the Devil himself might whisper in your ear. A popular tale suggests that if you leave an unopened can of beer on the Devil’s Chair at night, it will be empty by morning, yet still sealed. Some believe this is the work of the Devil himself, while others attribute it to mischievous locals.
Cassadaga is often referred to as the “Psychic Capital of the World.” The town is believed to sit on a spiritual vortex, a place of concentrated psychic energy, which adds to the mystique of the Devil’s Chair. I feel like I need to write about that in a whole separate post!
The Lafayette Vampire – Lafayette, Colorado
Teodor Glava, a Romanian immigrant, arrived in Lafayette, Colorado, in the early 1900s to work as a coal miner. He lived a modest life and, like many during that era, succumbed to the 1918 influenza pandemic. His grave, located in Lafayette Municipal Cemetery, bears the inscription “Born in Transylvania,” a detail that would later fuel vampire rumors.
Teodor Glava’s grave in Lafayette Municipal Cemetery is the center of vampire legends. A tree growing from the grave is said to have sprouted from a stake driven through his heart to keep him from rising. Visitors have reported sightings of a tall, dark figure with glowing eyes near the grave. You can view more photos by clicking through to Yellow Scene Magazine.
Black Aggie – Druid Ridge Cemetery, Maryland
Black Aggie is an unauthorized copy of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ 1891 allegorical statue known as “Grief,” which sits at the Adams Memorial in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C. The replica was created by Edward Ludwig Albert Pausch and installed in 1926 on the grave of General Felix Agnus. The statue gained notoriety due to rumors that its eyes would glow at night and that those who sat on its lap would die within a year.
Due to the constant disturbances, the Agnus family donated Black Aggie to the Smithsonian Institution in 1967. The statue was later moved to the courtyard behind the Dolley Madison House in Washington, D.C., where it remains today. Only the empty pedestal is left at its original site in Druid Ridge Cemetery.
Mouth Cemetery – Muskegon County, Michigan
Mouth Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Muskegon County and is reputed to be one of the most haunted in Michigan. The cemetery is named for its location near the mouth of the White River, which was historically referred to as “the Mouth” by locals.
An urban legend tells of a chair known as “Sadony’s Chair.” Local lore claims that a teenage boy who sat in the chair died in a car accident exactly one year later. So many visitors flocked to the cemetery because of the cursed chair legend that local police removed it. I couldn’t find a photo.
The cemetery has a high proportion of children’s graves compared to other local cemeteries, reflecting the harsh realities of pioneer life. Visitors have reported hearing laughter and seeing apparitions of child-sized figures.
Eternal Silence – Graceland Cemetery, Chicago
The Eternal Silence statue, also known as the “Statue of Death,” marks the grave of Dexter Graves. It was created by renowned sculptor Lorado Taft in 1909. It commemorates Dexter Graves, who led thirteen families from Ohio to settle in Chicago in 1831. Graves passed away in 1844, and his remains were later moved to Graceland Cemetery when it was established.
Standing at 10 feet tall, the bronze statue depicts a hooded figure draped in robes, set against a black granite backdrop. The statue has oxidized over time, giving it a haunting green patina, which contrasts starkly with the dark granite. This effect enhances its eerie appearance.
The bronze statue depicts a hooded figure and is said to have supernatural powers. It’s rumored that if you look into the statue’s face, you’ll catch a glimpse of your own death. Some visitors have reported their cameras malfunctioning when trying to photograph it.
The Haserot Angel – Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio
The tombstone known for “crying black tears” is a famous cemetery sculpture called The Angel of Death Victorious, commonly referred to as the Haserot Angel or the Weeping Angel. It is located in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
This bronze statue, created by sculptor Herman Matzen in 1923, is renowned for its haunting appearance. Over time, natural oxidation has caused dark streaks to form beneath the angel’s eyes, giving the illusion of weeping black tears. This eerie effect has contributed to the statue’s reputation and allure.
Visitors often report a profound sense of stillness and introspection when standing before the statue. Its somber presence and the legends surrounding it have made the Haserot Angel a subject of fascination for both art enthusiasts and those intrigued by the macabre.
The Grave of Lilly E. Gray – Salt Lake City, Utah
Lilly E. Gray’s tombstone in Salt Lake City Cemetery reads “Victim of the Beast 666,” a cryptic message that has puzzled visitors for years. In full, the gravestone reads “Lilly E. Gray / June 6, 1881 – November 14, 1958 / Victim of the Beast 666.” The inscription was chosen by her second husband, Elmer Gray, who married Lilly late in life. After Lilly died of natural causes at age 77, Elmer blamed her death on the “Beast 666” of the government. No one knows for certain why Elmer chose this inscription, but he had a history of mistrusting authority and may have suffered from mental health issues, such as paranoia or delusions.
This cryptic, ominous phrase has made her grave one of the most notorious in the cemetery, sparking rumors, speculation, and even paranormal tours.
Utah, man, some really weird things happen in your state.
Colonel Buck’s Cursed Tomb – Bucksport, Maine
In Bucksport, Maine, stands the monument of Colonel Jonathan Buck, the town’s founder. Legend tells of Buck condemning a woman to death for witchcraft. As she burned, her leg supposedly rolled out of the fire. After Buck’s death, a mysterious stain resembling a woman’s leg appeared on his tombstone. Despite efforts to clean or replace the stone, the mark persistently returns, fueling tales of a witch’s curse.
Fictional lore or legit warnings
These tombstones and their accompanying legends offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of folklore and mystery that permeates cemeteries across the United States.
I think the biggest takeaway for me is that we should all be respectful of cemeteries and the final resting places of those who have passed on from this realm. My gut says the lore of not sitting on a tombstone was started from people who just got tired of tombs and graves being vandalized.
Either way, whether you’re a paranormal enthusiast or a history buff, these sites provide a fascinating journey into the unknown.
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