James A. Garfield Memorial

The Monument

Designed by architect George Keller, the Garfield Monument was dedicated on Memorial Day, 1890. The Garfield Monument stands 180 feet tall and is constructed of Berea Sandstone. Around the exterior of the balcony are five, terra cotta panels by Casper Bubel, with over 110 figures all life size, depicting Garfield’s life and death. The panels include Garfield as a teacher, as Major General in the Civil War, an orator, taking the oath of office and lying in state in the rotunda of the Capital in Washington DC.

The Memorial Hall includes rich, gold mosaics, beautifully colored marble, stained glass windows and deep-red granite columns. The stained glass windows and window like panes represent the original 13 colonies, plus the state of Ohio, along with panels depicting War and Peace. Standing in the main floor is a statue of the President sculpted by Alexander Doyle.

Venture up 64 steps from the lobby to the outdoor balcony. On a clear day you can see 40 miles of the Lake Erie shore. We are called Lake View Cemetery due to the magnificent view that one can see of Lake Erie from the outdoor balcony.

The President’s Casket

President Garfield’s casket, draped with an American Flag, is the only Presidential casket on full display. First Lady Lucretia Garfield’s casket is also located in the crypt. The remains of their daughter Mary (Molly), and her husband, Joseph Stanley Brown, are in the two urns located in front of the Garfields’ caskets.

President James A. Garfield

Born in November 19, 1831, in what is now known as Moreland Hills, OH, President Garfield valued education. He graduated in 1856 from Williams College in Massachusetts, and became President of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (known today as Hiram College). Serving his country during the Civil War, Garfield rose to the rank of Major General. Convinced by President Lincoln that it was important to serve his country in Congress, Garfield was elected in 1862 serving for the next 18 years.

While attending the Republican Convention in 1880, Garfield became the “dark horse” nominee on the 36th ballot. Winning the election by only 10,000 votes, President Garfield took the oath of office on March 4, 1881. On July 2, 1881, just four months after being sworn in as president, Garfield left for a holiday with his family. Walking through the train depot in Washington, DC, Garfield was shot by a disappointed office seeker; he lingered for two months, then died on Sept. 19, 1881, two months short of his 50th birthday.

To set up a tour of the monument, please contact Mary Krohmer at marykrohmer@lakeviewcemetery.com. For more information on his birth site, please visit click here. His home, the James A. Garfield National Historic Site, in Mentor is owned and operated by The National Park Service. For more information please click here.