360 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
The Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Ky. 
The Lexington Cemetery Co. was organized in 
January, 1849, and the cemetery dedicated June, 25, 
1850. 
The original tract, consisting of forty acres o 
beautifully undulating ground, partly covered by 
OFFICE AND CHAPEL. 
an indigenous growth of Oaks, Ash, Beech, etc., 
was laid out by a Frenchman named Eapradelie 
(if I decipher his signature correctly), who was 
Maximilian’s chief engineer in Mexico. It now 
comprises 106 acres, 50 of which have been added 
within a few years. 
From the outset the management has been in 
the hands of a Board of Trustees, chosen from the 
prominent men of the city, who have taken pride in 
the cemetery, and have served it faithfully without 
money or price, the superintendent being the only 
official who draws a salary, and the funds have been 
so well managed that on Jan. I, ’96, the assets 
amounted, in round numbers, to $84,000. There 
are no liabilities except the current expenses. 
* * * 
The policy of the management has been to charge 
only enough for lots to maintain all occupied ground, 
no perpetual care fund being asked for from any 
purchaser. And this practice is strictly adhered to, 
so that the largest lots and single graves receive 
precisely the same care, viz., all graves, grass, trees 
and shrubs are kept in good condition, and all occu- 
pied ground presents an equally attractive appear- 
ance. 
» « « 
In 1890, a handsome building was erected at the 
entrance to the grounds. It is of the best quality 
of Bedford stone, and contains the well lighted, spa- 
cious and pleasant office of the superintendent, with 
a large fire proof vault, a commodious, attractively 
furnished waiting room with toilet rooms adjoining, 
and a roomy chapel with bowed front containing 
three windows of stained glass. One of these, 
by Tiffany, is beautiful in design and in color- 
ing. It represents Joseph holding the child Jesus. 
The expression of the child’s face is charm- 
ing. All of the rooms in the building are supplied 
with open grates. 
* » Iff 
The record books in the big fire proof vault show 
an excellent system of records. They are profile 
ruled, the space between lines representing one foot, 
and the lot boundary of each grave is outlined in 
red, and the names w’ritten directly in the spaces so 
enclosed. The name of the lot owner is written in 
the margin, and a space at the foot of each page is 
reserved for the owner’s remarks. So that reference 
to one book gives all details. This book cor- 
responds with the record book of deeds and with 
large sectional maps, perfecting what seems a sim- 
ple, yet complete, system. 
* * * 
Mr. C. S. Bell has been superintendent from the 
beginning, except for an interval of one year, and 
has laid out all the ground that has, from time to 
time, been added to the cemetery, as well as had 
entire control of all planting from the outset. The 
nice way in which Mr Bell has put Downing’s theo- 
ries into practice, regarding the treatment ol the sur- 
face of land, must appeal to every landscape artist. 
He has not undertaken to “ unmake the character 
Nature has stamped on this piece .of ground” — and 
the stamp is distinctly Kentucky species, variety 
Blue Grass region. And, when at its best, 
none can be either more beautiful or better 
adapted to cemetery purposes. Its flowing curves, 
perfect trees, and wonderful turf combine to make 
a quiet, poetic and satisfying landscape. And from 
the outset Nature has been respected here as in but 
few rural cemeteries, not excepting those of modern 
origin. This is due to the admirable taste and 
judgment displayed in the design and regula- 
tions, and to the uncompromising oversight exer- 
cised from the beginning by the efficient superin- 
tendent. 
Fences, copings and visible boundary lines of 
every kind, have always been prohibited (fancy that 
having been thought of, and insisted on in 1850!) and 
while tall head stones are too numerous, lot owners 
have for many years been encouraged to use lower 
ones, and the use of foot stones has been so vigor- 
ously discouraged that they are comparatively scarce, 
even on the older sections. Other important factors 
in producing the open, park-like aspect of this cem- 
etery are found in the peculiar plan followed of 
