Of all the cemeteries in Pennsylvania, the largest cemetery in the state – and one of its most historic – sits on the outskirts of Philadelphia and includes an abandoned mausoleum. The cemetery in question is called Mt. Moriah Cemetery. The historic burial ground serves as the final resting place for numerous notable figures, thousands of U.S. veterans, and many, many more. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Mt. Moriah Cemetery is that since 2004, it has sat in decay, unmaintained and its land unclaimed by any entity. The abandoned Pennsylvania cemetery is intriguing on its own, but is only more so when you learn of the property’s abandoned mausoleum.
Jukie Bot/ Flickr Mt. Moriah was incorporated in 1855 and grew to encompass 380 acres. Its entrance is marked by a massive, Romanesque brownstone structure, located on Islington Avenue. Now, as you can see above, it is in disrepair and covered in the remains of dead, snaking vines.
trenttsd/ Flickr Though not many visit Mt. Moriah Cemetery today, it was once a major cemetery in the Philadelphia area. Here you can find the gravestones of many notable individuals, such as William Burns Smith, who once was the major of Philadelphia, and Pat Deasley, a professional baseball player. Perhaps most interestingly, Betsy Ross’ remains are also interred here.
Sherry Nelson/ Flickr The Mount Moriah Cemetery Association was responsible for maintaining the property until its last surviving member passed away in 2004. Since then, the cemetery has no official owner and no one to claim responsibility for its maintenance.
pwbaker/ Flickr The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery organization is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the cemetery and raising awareness of its unique situation.
Check out the video below to see some footage of the bizarre Mt. Moriah Cemetery and its abandoned mausoleum.
Jukie Bot/ Flickr
Mt. Moriah was incorporated in 1855 and grew to encompass 380 acres. Its entrance is marked by a massive, Romanesque brownstone structure, located on Islington Avenue. Now, as you can see above, it is in disrepair and covered in the remains of dead, snaking vines.
trenttsd/ Flickr
Though not many visit Mt. Moriah Cemetery today, it was once a major cemetery in the Philadelphia area. Here you can find the gravestones of many notable individuals, such as William Burns Smith, who once was the major of Philadelphia, and Pat Deasley, a professional baseball player. Perhaps most interestingly, Betsy Ross’ remains are also interred here.
Sherry Nelson/ Flickr
The Mount Moriah Cemetery Association was responsible for maintaining the property until its last surviving member passed away in 2004. Since then, the cemetery has no official owner and no one to claim responsibility for its maintenance.
pwbaker/ Flickr
The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery organization is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the cemetery and raising awareness of its unique situation.
It’s sad that the historic and beautiful Mt. Moriah Cemetery has been forgotten by so many people. Perhaps one day it will be claimed and cleaned up— until then, it is yet another of the hidden abandoned places in Pennsylvania.
So, did you know about this abandoned Pennsylvania cemetery? What about the abandoned mausoleum on its grounds? Have you ever explored this historic cemetery? What about the abandoned Pennsylvania mausoleum? Know of another intriguing cemetery in Pennsylvania? Or, perhaps you’re in the know regarding abandoned places in Pennsylvania? Whatever you have to say, we want to hear it, so share your thoughts with us!
We’ve got news for you. Mt. Moriah Cemetery is just one of the amazingly historic locales in the state. There are lots more! And to prove it, here is a list of the best historic landmarks in Pennsylvania.
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Address: 6201 Kingsessing Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19142, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Mausoleum January 30, 2023 Daniella DiRienzo Aside from Mt. Moriah Cemetery, are there any other interesting cemeteries in Pennsylvania? There are several intriguing cemeteries in Pennsylvania. Here are a few of the interesting and historically significant cemeteries in Pennsylvania:
Gettysburg National Cemetery in Gettysburg Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster Peter’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in Philadelphia Erie Cemetery in Erie Coulterville Cemetery in McKeesport
Is this abandoned Pennsylvania cemetery the only deserted place in the state? Mt. Moriah Cemetery is just one of the abandoned places in Pennsylvania. Here are some more abandoned places in Pennsylvania?
Pithole City. Pithole City is a ghost town in Pennsylvania that once had the United States’ first commercial oil well. Centralia. This Pennsylvania locality still has less than a dozen of its original residents but, for the most part, it has become a virtual ghost town. Penn Hills Resort. Located in the Pocono Mountains, this deserted resort gives glimpses into what once was at this former honeymoon resort, which permanently shut down in 2009.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Mausoleum
January 30, 2023
Daniella DiRienzo
Aside from Mt. Moriah Cemetery, are there any other interesting cemeteries in Pennsylvania? There are several intriguing cemeteries in Pennsylvania. Here are a few of the interesting and historically significant cemeteries in Pennsylvania:
Gettysburg National Cemetery in Gettysburg Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster Peter’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in Philadelphia Erie Cemetery in Erie Coulterville Cemetery in McKeesport
Is this abandoned Pennsylvania cemetery the only deserted place in the state? Mt. Moriah Cemetery is just one of the abandoned places in Pennsylvania. Here are some more abandoned places in Pennsylvania?
Pithole City. Pithole City is a ghost town in Pennsylvania that once had the United States’ first commercial oil well. Centralia. This Pennsylvania locality still has less than a dozen of its original residents but, for the most part, it has become a virtual ghost town. Penn Hills Resort. Located in the Pocono Mountains, this deserted resort gives glimpses into what once was at this former honeymoon resort, which permanently shut down in 2009.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are several intriguing cemeteries in Pennsylvania. Here are a few of the interesting and historically significant cemeteries in Pennsylvania:
- Gettysburg National Cemetery in Gettysburg
- Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster
- Peter’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in Philadelphia
- Erie Cemetery in Erie
- Coulterville Cemetery in McKeesport
Is this abandoned Pennsylvania cemetery the only deserted place in the state?
Mt. Moriah Cemetery is just one of the abandoned places in Pennsylvania. Here are some more abandoned places in Pennsylvania?
- Pithole City. Pithole City is a ghost town in Pennsylvania that once had the United States’ first commercial oil well.
- Centralia. This Pennsylvania locality still has less than a dozen of its original residents but, for the most part, it has become a virtual ghost town.
- Penn Hills Resort. Located in the Pocono Mountains, this deserted resort gives glimpses into what once was at this former honeymoon resort, which permanently shut down in 2009.