Sunday, December 5, 2010

Crown Hill


I had some time to kill the other day while I was waiting to pick my son up at the Naval Armory so I went to Crown Hill Cemetery for about an hour to look around. I have loved Crown Hill ever since I was a kid. I enjoy visiting historic cemetery's when traveling so to have one like this in my hometown is nice. There is so much history in them.
Dedicated in 1864, Crown Hill is the third largest cemetery in the United States (by area) and burial place of infamous bank robber John Dillinger, Senator and Vice President Charles Fairbanks, Gatling gun inventor Dr. Richard Jordan Gatling, President Benjamin Harrison, poet James Whitcomb Riley, Pulitzer Prize winning author and playwright Booth Tarkington, eleven Indiana Governors , fourteen Indiana Mayors and many more.
But to top off the historical aspect, Crown Hill is simply beautiful. While I was there on a snowy, gray day I enjoyed the serenity and beauty of the stately grounds since there were not many people out visiting.

The impressive main gate was dedicated in 1866.

The burial site of our 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison.

The Wood family site.

The tomb of Colonel Eli Lilly and family.

Looking towards The Crown which is the highest point in Marion County and where James Whitcomb Riley is buried.

Beautiful artwork can be found throughout old cemeteries.

The Crown Hill National Cemetery is located on the grounds. It started with 707 Union soldiers being buried there in 1866 after being moved from another cemetery in Indianapolis. There are 2,135 military buried there now.



The Gothic Chapel stands to the east of the National Cemetery. It was built in 1875.

The Heroes of Public Safety memorial and burial section.
And on the other hand, the modest marker of John Dillinger.

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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Bryce Canyon

One word....beautiful... Bryce Canyon, Utah; Kodachrome Valley and the surrounding area is a wonderful place to visit. It's a real jewel in the National Park Service. I think its beauty has the Grand Canyon beat hands down plus it's more accessible and easier to get around. The color of the rock are just amazing and it seems like it changes every hour with the light in the sky. Driving into Tropic, Utah the first day was a little iffy with ice, sleet and even a little hail but we really lucked out and didn't get bad weather while we were there. I have a gallery on my website of a few photos from there if you go to "Commercial Art/Advertising/Editorial", click "Travel" then click on "The Southwest". If you make your way west, this is a must see!