For about 50 years, it was the site of the Riverview Towers Apartments. The Riverview Towers building was demolished in the fall of 2022 and the site is currently an empty lot. The installation of a flood wall in the 1940's helps prevent flooding in the downtown area of New Albany today. |
First Burial Grounds and Riverview Towers
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Demolition of Riverview Towers in 2022
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Babyland - this area was created in the early 1970s.
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The first burial occurred the next day, when a “Hatton child” was buried there. During the earlier years, about 70% of the burials were children. A section of the cemetery known as Babyland, was created in the early 1970s. Its only residents are babies.
The bodies from the first burial ground, including Joel and Nathaniel Scribner, were relocated to the new burial ground. The oldest known burial is Joshua Fowler, a Revolutionary War soldier, who died in March of 1820. |
An area of the Northern Burial Ground was reserved as a “Pauper’s Field”, where unknown people found dead along the river or alongside the roads and trails were buried. About 400-500 people are buried there, three deep.
In 1844, the steamboat, Lucy Walker, exploded just below New Albany, due to engine troubles. 75 people were killed in that explosion. Sixteen of them were “fetched up the river” and buried in the Northern Burial Ground. All the graves are unmarked but one, that of A.E. Edwards. |
A. E. Edwards Headstone
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The intent of the extensive beautification project was to create a scenic place for people to come visit and spend the afternoon.
In 1891, fifty years after its founding, the name was changed to Fairview Cemetery. The lovely iron scroll arches were erected in 1886, at the 6th Street entrance. In the arch over the roadway the words “Fairview Cemetery” were placed in bronze. The work was completed by the Acme Fence Company of New Albany for $500.00. |
Zinc Monument
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Over the years, more land was purchased until the original 5½ acres grew to the current 32 acres. As of June 2022, 31,217 burials have taken place in Fairview Cemetery.
There are tall and short monuments and even no markers at all. Most of the markers are made of granite, marble, sandstone, limestone, or even soapstone, but there are a few that are made of zinc. The cemetery has come to be the final resting place for war veterans, volunteer firemen, “Who’s Who” of early New Albany, children, and many unknowns who were found along a trail or washed ashore in the Ohio River. |
William CulbertsonBuilt the Culbertson Mansion, now an Indiana State Historic Site.
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Washington C. DepauwBusinessman and philanthropist. One
of the wealthiest men in Indiana. |
Elias AyresProminent merchant who helped build New Albany into a prosperous city.
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© 2021 Friends of Fairview. All rights reserved.
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