Ladies Cemetery Association of Cuyahoga Falls - LCA

A group of Falls women held a meeting in the Vestry of St. John's church. They were determined to organize in the interest of a finer cemetery in the Village of Cuyahoga Falls. One of the first steps necessary in the preliminary work at Oakwood Cemetery was grading. This particular project was accomplished under the supervision of Matthew Crawford who kindly donated his services. The grading included removal of a large number of unsightly stumps which did require a large sum of money. So, a membership was formed and fifty cents was collected to help meet the Association's needs for Oakwood Cemetery. Later on, annual dinners were held in the Volunteer Fire Department headquarters in the old Town Hall, corner of Broad Blvd. and Front St. These dinners were very popular year after year and a great deal of money was collected through these dinners and many other channels. In the first two or three years after the association was formed, the women had their hands filled with obligations of planting shrubbery, trees and flowers and also assisting to a degree with the grading. Then, in 1895, Jack Hatfield, a local man was hired as superintendent of Oakwood Cemetery, relieving the women of the harder tasks and some of the responsibility. In 1898, ground was broken for the Chapel. Reed Deeds was hired to supervise the project. Memorial windows were donated for the Chapel by several Falls families and social organizations. The $2,300 it took to build the Chapel was raised by holding dinners and entertainment, the most popular entertainment being "Mrs. Jarley's Wax Works". In 1901, the LCA received incorporation status and is also a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. In 1902 the LCA purchased the land from the trustees for $1. In 1905 the original wrought iron fence was erected by Van Dorn Iron Works from Cleveland, Ohio. In 1907, a pond was constructed by John Lyons for $211.95. Originally built as a reflecting pond, it later contained aquatic plants and fish. Many visitors have reminisced about catching tadpoles in the pond. In 1949, due to high maintenance costs and the concern for the safety of the neighborhood children, the pond was filled in. In 1919, the brick piers were installed at the Oakwood Cemetery main entrance by the Van Dorn Iron Works. In 1950, the Veteran's Memorial Book was dedicated and remains in the Chapel for display. The book is updated annually with the names of Cuyahoga Falls Veterans who have passed on. The names of around 800 veterans of all wars since 1812 who are buried in the cemetery are registered in a permanent memorial volume in the Chapel. This book, prepared by the LCA, supported by military organizations, is made of hand carved white oak covers with hand wrought clasps. The paper is of indestructible Egyptian vellum. A motif of oak leaves and acorns covers the book and it stands on a pedestal above an inlaid oak mosaic platform. The book is available for public viewing on Memorial Day or at any open house or program. The LCA also maintains a Flower Endowment Fund which allows an individual to donate money for the ongoing care and maintenance of a gravesite.