Your Guide to Notable Memorials and Monuments in Ohio

The amount of history that surrounds us is fascinating—especially here in Ohio.

As the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents and the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Ohio is full of historical mementos—including significant cemetery memorials.

Continue reading to find out where you can visit famous late celebrity memorials, plus details on other notable monuments in Ohio.

Famous Citizens’ Memorials in Ohio

1. Alan Freed. Remembered as “The Father of Rock n’ Roll.”
   Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, OH
   
   
   
   
2. Annie Oakley. Best remembered for her career as a sharpshooter.
   Brock Cemetery in Greenville, OH
   
   
3. Rutherford B. Hayes. 19th President of the United States.
   Spiegel Grove Cemetery in Fremont, OH
   
   
4. Eliot Ness. The FBI lawman who brought gangster Al Capone to justice.
   Lake View Cemetery  in Cleveland, OH
   
   
5. Dave Thomas. Founder of the famous fast food chain, Wendy’s.
   Union Cemetery in Columbus, OH
   
   
6. James A. Garfield. 20th President of the United States.
   Lake View Cemetery  in Cleveland, OH
   
   
   
   
7. William McKinley. 25th President of the United States.
   McKinley Memorial Park in Canton, OH
   
   
8. William Henry Harrison. 9th President of the United States.
   William Henry Harrison Memorial in North Bend, OH
   
   
9. Carl B. Stokes. First African American to lead a major U.S. city as mayor of Cleveland.
   Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, OH
   
   
10. Carolyn Keene. Pen name for a variety of authors who wrote the famous Nancy Drew mystery series.
    Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, OH
    
    
11. John D. Rockefeller. Founder of the Rockefeller Foundation.
    Lake View Cemetery  in Cleveland, OH
    
    
    
12. The Wright Brothers. Wilbur and Orville invented the modern-day airplane.
    Woodland Cemetery in Dayton, OH

Famous Upright Memorials & Monuments in Ohio

1. Smoky the War Dog
   An American soldier stationed in the Philippines during World War II found a small Yorkshire terrier in a foxhole that went on to become a war hero and one of the first therapy dogs. His animal memorial can be found at Rocky River Reservation.
   
   
2. Dr. Robert Holbrook “Dr. Bob” Smith
   Dr. Smith is best known for being the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and starting the first chapter in Akron at his home. You can find his memorial at Mount Peace Cemetery in Akron, Ohio.
   
   
3. Raymond Johnson “Ray” Chapman
   Former Cleveland Guardians player Ray Chapman was the last major-league player to pass as a result of being hit by a pitched baseball. He was laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery where his memorial is lined with baseballs and Guardians ball caps.
   
   
4. The Girl in Blue
   Previously unidentified 22-year-old Josephine Klimczak was wearing a blue dress and blue shoes when she was struck by a train in Willoughby. You can find her memorial, “The Girl in Blue” at Village Cemetery.
   
   
5. Henry Alden Sherwin
   Henry’s founding of the Sherwin-Williams Company in the 1860s made him a pioneer of the paint industry.  His memorial can be found at Lake View Cemetery.

>>> Click here to learn what makes a memorial “upright.”

Important Community Memorials in Ohio

1. Collinwood School Fire Memorial
   In 1908, an overheated steam pipe at Lakeview Elementary School in Collinwood touched a wooden joist and set fire to the school, which resulted in the passing of 172 children and two teachers. This community memorial honors those lost in this tragedy.
   
   
   
   
2. Cleveland East Ohio Gas Explosion Memorial
   Known as one of the worst disasters in the history of Cleveland, this 1944 gas explosion took the lives of 133 people. A historical marker is now located at Grdina Park.
   
   
3. Medina Gold Star Family Memorial
   Found at York Township Municipal Park, this memorial was created by Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody" Williams to remember those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
   
   
4. The Haserot Angel
   Found at Lake View Cemetery, one of Ohio’s most unique graves is a life-size bronze sculpture of an angel that appears to be crying and holding an upside-down torch.
   
   
   
   
5. Amherst Train Crash Memorial
   In 1916, the small town of Amherst was affected by a terrible train crash that took dozens of lives. A memorial for those who passed can be found at the Sandstone Village in Amherst, Ohio.
   
   
   
   
6. USS Cod Submarine Memorial
   This submarine is responsible for sinking more than 30,000 tons of Japanese shipping goods during WWII. Families can go on a self-guided tour of the National Historic Landmark in Cleveland.
   
   
7. Irish Cultural Garden
   The original landscape design of the Irish Cultural Garden was centered on sandstone walkways in theshape of a Celtic Cross. Milano Stone & Restoration made a contribution to the addition of the Fountain Plaza.
   
   
   
   
8. Eleven Angels
   This community memorial was designed, created and installed by Milano Stone & Restoration to honor and remember the 11 women tragically murdered in Cleveland.
   
   

>>> Take a look at the community memorials, monuments and sculptures Milano Monuments has designed.

Famous Mausoleums in Ohio

1. Warren G. Harding.
   Harding was the 9th President of the United States. The Harding Tomb in Marion, OH houses the gravesites of President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding.
   
   
   
   
2. Levi Scofield
   Levi Scofield was best known for his design of the Mansfield Reformatory and the Athens and Columbus psychiatric hospitals. His mausoleum is housed at Lake View Cemetery.
   
   
   
   
3. Wade Memorial Chapel
   Known as one of the finest small buildings in America, the Wade Memorial Chapel was built in memory of Jeptha H. Wade. You can visit this beautifully structured mausoleum at Lake View Cemetery.
   
   
   
   
4. Alfred Lerner
   Former coach of the Cleveland Browns, Al Learner’s mausoleum can be found at Lake Lake View Cemetery.
   
   
   
5. Albert Covelli
   Albert was the founder of Covelli Enterprises, the nation's largest franchisee of Panera Bread and the fourth largest restaurant franchisee in the country. His mausoleum, created by Milano Monuments, can be found at All Souls Cemetery in Cortland.
   
   
   
   
6. Kaufman’s Pyramid
   This uniquely shaped mausoleum can be found in Marion, OH and was designed by the team at Milano Monuments. It was created for businessman and world traveler Martin Kaufman.
   
   

>>> Download our Mausoleum Guide to learn what goes into the creation of these grand structures.

Make Your Loved One's Final Resting Place Notable

Each of these notable memorials in Ohio pay tribute to a lost loved one—something that your loved one's headstone can do as well. One way this can be accomplished is by incorporating a memorial quote into the headstone design. Download our ultimate guide to memorial quotes for inspiration as you get started creating a memorial of distinction.