While there certainly is a part of me that finds mausoleums a little on the creepy side, the architectural execution is usually quite phenomenal on these little monuments. Those at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Logansport are no exception. And with the variety of styles found there, make it a near text book study for the architectural type. Many people do not know that the origin of mausoleum construction is traced to the tomb of Mausollos, King of Caria of the Persian Empire. Because the King loved everything Greek, he brought Greek's finest architects to design and construct the tomb in the 3rd century, B.C.. Alas, the King died before the completion of his tomb and so his ashes waited in an urn before being placed into the little temple. Once it was finished it was considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
Is it any wonder that most mausoleums today reflect classical Greek styling with highly detailed columns, bases and pediments? And further, often have depictions of urns? Mausoleums reflect the wealth of the individuals interred and simply put, the more mausoleums in a city cemetery, the greater reflection of wealth in that community. Logansport's Mt. Hope clearly reflects a period of considerable wealth in the city.
The Sellers Mausoleum has a simple design with column capitals reflecting the "Temple of the Winds" design while the Barr Mausoleum has an ornate gated entry, lotus flowers creating simplified Corinthian capitals, acanthus leaves and an urn crowning its pedimented entry.
Two unusual mausoleums are side by side, Crismond and Murdock, at the main entry to the cemetery. They are unusual because of their vaulted roofs, integration into the hillside and because of their Italianate villa designed pedimented entry.
Probably my favorite is the Barnheisel Mausoleum because it was executed in my favorite American style, Art Deco. The archetypal deco foliage inspired gates and the "Exposition-style" pilaster capitals are all trademarks of the style and executed beautifully.
The Flanagan-Osborne Mausoleum has probably the best executed set of doors in a great green patina and wreath and lion head door knockers (not sure why you'd knock?) The side by side, well articulated Fisher and Himmelberger mausoleums have perfectly executed classical elements with Himmelberger using the earlier Doric order and Fisher using the later Corinthian style.
One somewhat less than remarkable monument is the Price Mausoleum. I'm not certain if style or financial concerns drove the restraint of architectural detail on this building. The use of limestone ashlars rather than the more typical granite would lead me to believe it was a cost issue, although, and I did not record the date, it does have more of a mid-20th century flare about it.
One somewhat less than remarkable monument is the Price Mausoleum. I'm not certain if style or financial concerns drove the restraint of architectural detail on this building. The use of limestone ashlars rather than the more typical granite would lead me to believe it was a cost issue, although, and I did not record the date, it does have more of a mid-20th century flare about it.
4 comments:
When I drive through Logansport I always get the sense of the ghost of prosperity past. This cemetery is no ghost; it is clear evidence. Cool.
Are most architectural types this familiar with their history? You should publish this in a book!
I know enough to be dangerous, but not enough to write a book! Unfortunately, American vernacular architectural movements are not taught in most schools so you really have to teach yourself this stuff.
HR, one of the best ways to learn something is to try to write a book about it.
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