Three Cemeteries in Lowell, Massachusetts

Why do some people love cemeteries so much? Is it because of the peace and quiet along the trails and paths, your curiosity, thinking about the unknown stories that lie beneath the stones, the beauty of the surroundings or the fun in discovering who you are looking for?

I'm covering some of the cemeteries located in Lowell, Massachusetts because this is where I live. I have no relatives or family buried here. My in-laws were buried in the next town. Since I often help people with their Lowell genealogy and I've posted a good many Lowell Cemetery cemetery stone photos on this blog, I thought it was about time to give you some information on this subject.

There are quite a few cemeteries in the city, all sizes, some private and one, the Hildreth Cemetery is always locked, this is where Major General Benjamin F. Butler was buried. A list of all cemeteries was prepared by several agencies and groups and may be seen HERE.

I will only discuss in order, the Lowell Cemetery (private), the Edson Cemetery (City of Lowell), and the St. Patrick Cemetery (private).

The Lowell Cemetery, est. 1841, is one of the original Garden Cemeteries in Massachusetts. This is where I go to get the first feel of spring and say goodbye to the last of the red leaves in the fall. The cemetery is very hilly, with narrow roads and lots of paths. A lot of the burials are on FindAGrave, but if you want to physically visit the site, you can call the cemetery office and get the street name and location. The site states that 6,259 were buried here with 75% photographed.

Below are photos of the two entrances and a brochure of the cemetery, with map and listing of all street names with a grid. 

The Lowell Cemetery

77 Knapp Avenue

Phone: 978-454-5191

http://www.lowellcemetery.com/

Lawrence Street Entrance

Knapp Street Entrance

Lowell Cemetery

There are two entrances, the Knapp Street entrance, off of Rogers Street (Rt. 38), near Shedd Park and the Lawrence Street entrance. Since this is a private cemetery, the gates are locked in the evening, and opened at 8 am. Unfortunately, the map above was too large to scan for this page.

The Edson Cemetery, 1375 Gorham Street
Lowell, Massachusetts
978-970-3323

The 1845 Edson Cemetery is large, but because the roads are wide and the entire area if flat, it's easy to find your way around, especially if you stop in the office for directions and information. I have done a lot of look-ups here and found the staff very helpful. From their website is the below information:

"​The Edson Cemetery Office is located at 1375 Gorham Street and can be easily reached as follows:

• Off of 495 or Route 3 take the Lowell Connector exit
• From the Lowell Connector take exit 5A, South Lowell
• Follow the ramp onto Gorham Street
• Follow the road, and once you go under the black “Prince Spaghettiville” bridge you will start to see Cemeteries on your right-hand side
• The Edson Cemetery is the last Cemetery on the right. 
• You will see a fork in the road with a Citgo gas station; we are on the right BEFORE the fork in the road. 
• The office is a small white cottage right at the main entrance to Edson Cemetery.

Additional comments, questions or concerns?  Please contact the Cemetery office at 978-970-3323."

The Find A Grave site states there are 3,580 burials and 51% have been photographed.

Entrance to the cemetery, the photo was taken under the gate. Office on the right, with plenty of parking. Writer Jack Kerouac is buried here (map and photos from my blog).

1251 Gorham Street approximately one mile from the Lowell Connector.

Phone: (978) 458-8464

St. Patrick Cemetery is next door to the Edson Cemetery, so it is also very flat and looks similar. There is a large gate, locked at night, and the office is on the right. Per their information, "Records from 1832 to 1894 at St. Patrick Cemetery are incomplete and are not available online at this point in time. They do have Genealogy Burial Listings from 1895 through 2011.

According to FindAGrave, there are 46,903 interments and 25% have been photographed.

This cemetery has the most detailed website, with everything you want to know, like a map, and a complete listing of everybody buried there. In addition, some show the funeral director's name. Many Lowell Catholics were buried here. 

The Cemetery Office on the right, as you enter through the gate.

My recent post, Doing Genealogy in Lowell, Massachusetts? Here is Help might help in your research.