Green Lawn Abbey, built in 1927, is a historic

mausoleum A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be consid ...

located at 700 Greenlawn Avenue in South Franklinton in Franklin Township, near

Columbus, Ohio Columbus () is the state capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., the second-most populous city in the Midwest, after Chicago, and t ...

. On June 27, 2007, it was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

History

Green Lawn Abbey is a mausoleum built in 1927 by the Columbus Mausoleum Company. At the time it was the largest in the area, with room for 600 interments. The Columbus Mausoleum Company built numerous other mausoleums in the surrounding area but Green Lawn Abbey was its largest. Built with thick granite walls, marble interior and an imported tile roof, the Abbey was built to inspire awe. Marble faux-fireplaces, stained glass windows and various religious statues adorn this beautiful final resting place of many notable figures in Ohio and local history. In recent years, the Abbey has fallen victim to water leaks, which have damaged much of the plaster ceilings and marble floors. The Abbey has also become the target for many urban exploration groups and vandals. Many of the irreplaceable stained glass windows have been destroyed as people have attempted to find entry into or exit from the Abbey. Marble statues lie broken, used as "tools" for breaking open windows and doors. Notable residents include

George J. Karb George John Karb (February 15, 1858 – May 15, 1937) was the 30th and 39th mayor of Columbus, Ohio and the 27th person to serve in that office. He was first elected in 1890 and served Columbus for two consecutive terms. After four years as m ...

(former Franklin County police commissioner and five-time mayor of Columbus), magician

Howard Thurston Howard Thurston (July 20, 1869 – April 13, 1936) was a stage magician from Columbus, Ohio, United States. His childhood was unhappy, and he ran away to join the circus, where his future partner Harry Kellar also performed. Thurston was deeply ...

, Charles Foster Johnson (first real estate tycoon in the area), Isaac Collins (founder of

Anchor Hocking Anchor Hocking Company is a manufacturer of glassware. The Hocking Glass Company was founded in 1905 by Isaac Jacob (Ike) Collins in Lancaster, Ohio, and named after the Hocking River. That company merged with the Anchor Cap and Closure Corpor ...

), Edward and Rollin Swisher (from the company that manufactures

Swisher Sweets Swisher Sweets is a cigar brand manufactured by Swisher INC. Their headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, ...

cigars), and H. R. Penney (brother of J.C. Penney of department store fame). A special family crypt room holds members of the Lewis Sells family (owners of

Sells Brothers Circus Sells Brothers Circus was a circus founded by Ephraim, William, Lewis and Peter Sells in Columbus, Ohio, United States. History The circus, more formally known as the Sells Brothers' Quadruple Alliance, Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus, ran ...

). In 2001 trustees for Green Lawn Abbey considered selling its already reduced grounds to a nearby construction implement dealer that would have surrounded the building with a dealer lot for back hoes and heavy equipment. The plan failed, but concerns continue, especially by fans of Thurston.

Restoration efforts

In August 2008 the Green Lawn Abbey Preservation Association (GLAPA) was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) recognized non-profit organization. This group has been leading efforts to restore the Abbey and preserve its historical significance to the city of Columbus. GLAPA is working to educate the community on the history of the Abbey through historic re-enactments held at the facility each fall and an open house event on Memorial Day. GLAPA is also working closely with the Columbus Landmarks Foundation to seek out restoration opportunities and grants for repair to the Abbey. In October 2009, the Abbey suffered a setback when thieves broke in and stole a number of bronze gates. The remaining gates were removed and placed in secure storage until further restoration takes place.http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/10/15/abbeytheft.ART_ART_10-15-09_B1_CKFCH9L.html Dispatch-Thefts at historic Green Lawn Abbey crypts sadden volunteers As of December 2010, two major roof repair projects have been completed. In February 2021 the cemetery opened to the public for the first time in more than 50 years. By then the Columbus Cemetery Association had succeeded in listing Green Lawn Abbey on the

References

{{National Register of Historic Places in Ohio Mausoleums on the National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Places in Franklin County, Ohio Franklinton (Columbus, Ohio) Death in Ohio 1927 establishments in Ohio Neoclassical architecture in Ohio Buildings and structures completed in 1927

History

Restoration efforts

See also

References