Druid Ridge Cemetery

Druid Ridge Cemetery

The cemetery, situated nine miles outside of Baltimore in Pikesville.  It was established in 1896 and dedicated at an elaborate opening ceremony in 1898.

The land was acquired by several prominent business men from Baltimore and New York.  It was planned and laid out in what was called the ‘lawn system’ of both Woodlawn and Kensico cemeteries in New York.  At its opening it could be accessed via automobile and also through street cars that drove through then scenic Druid Hill Park and Park Heights.

Prior to the purchase for a cemetery, the land area was called Annendale and was the county seat of the Harrison family.  It encompasses about 200 acres was purchase from Mr. Charles Tyler.  It was situated on the line of the Pikesville railway at the time, giving visitors another was to access the site.   The ground itself had a few unique benefits for a cemetery.  There is a system of natural springs that allowed themselves to form the artificial lake.  When opened there was a building set for an office and there was also a public mausoleum, designed by a prominent New York architect.  The mausoleum was built entirely of granite and situated on a hill where you could view the entire cemetery. The interior is furnished with marble, mosaic floors and stained-glass windows.  The catacombs are marble and number 138.  It was also meant as a temporary receptacle for the deceased received during inclement weather.

At the time of opening, the officers of the company were Thomas Hill, President; W.M. McCormick, Vice President; John J. Starr, Secretary; Samuel Hill, Treasurer; Frank Hill, Comptroller and Trustees:  Thomas Hill, Chauncey Depew, Reese Carpenter, Charles Tyler, W.M. McCormick, Samuel Hill, David Abercrombie, James E. Tyler and Frank Ely.

It is well maintained and has some beautiful memorials, many by Hans Schuler.  The well-known brewer, Frederick Bauernschmidt is buried here, as are the Cone   (Etta and Claribel), Adolf Meyer and many others.

Cemetery Address

7900 Park Heights Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21208

410-486-5300

Cemetery Website:  http://www.druidridge.com/

Photo Album from Druid Ridge:

Photos taken 8-4-2010 and 9-2-2016

Headstones in Photographs: