Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis

Crown Hill Cemetery, established in 1863, is a historic rural cemetery located 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) northwest of downtown Indianapolis. Situated on what was originally called Strawberry Hill, the summit was renamed "The Crown" and offers a striking vantage point over the city. Covering 555 acres (225 hectares), Crown Hill is the third-largest non-governmental U.S. cemetery, dedicated on June 1, 1864, and designed by John Chislett Sr. and Adolph Strauch.

Crown Hill Cemetery features 25 miles (40 kilometers) of roads, over 150 plant species, and more than 225,000 graves, with about 1,500 burials annually. Notable interred figures include President Benjamin Harrison, Vice Presidents Fairbanks, Hendricks, and Marshall, poet James Whitcomb Riley, and infamous bank robber John Dillinger. It also appears in The Fault in Our Stars as the resting place of Augustus Waters.

Architecturally, Crown Hill is a treasure trove, featuring mausoleums, monuments, and memorials designed by renowned architects and firms such as Diedrich A. Bohlen, George Kessler, and Vonnegut and Bohn. Works by contemporary sculptors like David L. Rodgers, Michael B. Wilson, and Eric Nordgulen add to their artistic legacy.

Within its boundaries lies the 1.4-acre Crown Hill National Cemetery, established in 1866 and located in Sections 9 and 10. This area commemorates U.S. military personnel, adding historical depth to the cemetery’s significance.

Crown Hill Cemetery is not just a burial ground but also a cultural and historical landmark. The Crown Hill Heritage Foundation, founded in 1984, is dedicated to preserving its historic buildings and landscapes. Recognized for its importance, Crown Hill Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 28, 1973.