the Oneida County History center
The Conservatory &Chapel at
Forest Hill Cemetery by Janice Reilly
“If such be His will, let me lie in Forest Hill surrounded by tasteful tombs that mark the resting places of our City’s famous dead; midst incense-scented shrub and flowers, lulled by the pure, sweet song of birds; where lofty trees stand sentinels on guard and spread their arching arms to form cathedral naves. Here, by His grace, may I rest eternally in peace. L.D.” [from a booklet titled Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, NY (no date). Initials of “LD” are unknown.] Almeron Hotchkiss, a New York civil engineer, and landscape designer was hired by the cemetery association to layout and develop the grounds of Forest Hill Cemetery around 1849. He did so using a rare artistic sense that incorporated natural elements. The association bought 37 acres of heavily wooded land, which created serious challenges and problems for the cemetery road builders and ground crews. Farmland on the plank road leading to Bridgewater [now Oneida Street] was added later. The land was surrounded by a fence. A three-mile-long carriage avenue with attractive flagstone curbing was laid out. Persons wishing to ride through the grounds in carriages obtained a ticket from the office. Paths were constructed for pedestrians who were admitted for free. In the early days, horse cars brought visitors from the city to a stop near the cemetery entrance. The cemetery was considered “rural.” An elaborate parade was held at the formal opening of the cemetery in June 1850. The Utica Brass Band played the processional and exercises were attended by all part of the community: clergy, citizens, school children, officers of the association, and visitors. Grand promenades were held on Sundays for it was the place to go after church. You could meet family and friends, perhaps around the lily ponds, sit in quiet repose to commune with lost relatives, or just enjoy the natural beauty of
Forest Hill Chapel was erected in 1870. It is built of sandstone quarried from nearby Clinton
The free-standing glass and wood conservatory built in 1875 was deemed too costly to maintain and was demolished in 1926
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