Highland Cemetery is located on the north side of Ypsilanti on a hill overlooking the city. Its location provides a restful spot for contemplation, with many old trees and rolling hills. It is designed in the "Garden" or Rural style of cemeteries, popular in the 19th century. These cemeteries were burial grounds but also very park like, as seen here at Highland. The cemetery is over 100 acres in size and was dedicated on July 14, 1864. It was designed by James Lewis Glenn. Many locally famous persons are buried here and we will look at the graves of some of those who lived in the homes on the Huron Street walking tour, among others. There are many familiar names here of those that city streets are named for or that buildings on Eastern Michigan University's campus are named after. The cemetery gates are open year round from 8:00 AM to dusk.
We begin the tour of Highland Cemetery at Starkweather Chapel. Designed by famous Detroit architects George Mason and Zachariah Rice, this building was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque Style in 1889. Note the heavy rusticated stonework and heavy arches of the chapel, characteristic of this style of architecture. It is built in red sandstone with a tower and features Tiffany & Company windows. Funds for the building were donated by Mary Ann Starkweather, a local philanthropist who donated much of her fortune to the city of Ypsilanti. The building was restored in the 1990s and has always been used as a chapel.
You may visit the other gravesites on the tour in any order you wish, please consult the map for assistance. They are listed here in alphabetical order.
Arden H. Ballard (B167, Lot 14) lived in the home at 125 N. Huron and Ballard Street is named after him. He was president of Ypsilanti when it was still a village, and also served as mayor for a year, in 1859-60.
Lambert Barnes (B 100, Lot 35) lived in the home that is now the Ypsilanti Historical Museum at 220 N. Huron. He served as mayor of the city in 1875 and was also a president of Peninsular Paper Company.
Cornelius Cornwell's (B1 70, Lot 10) grave is unique in that it is marked by a large granite ball. He lived in the large brick home at 203 N. Huron Street. He was owner of six paper mills including the first one built in Ypsilanti, and one that was the largest in Michigan at the time.
Frederic Henry Pease (B 100, Lot 26) was a professor of music at Eastern Michigan University. He worked for many years for an auditorium to be established on campus. Pease Auditorium, built after his death, is named for him. He was also a composer and author who led the department of music at EMU to be one of the best in the state. He was in charge of music for Ypsilanti city schools and played the organ as well.
The Quirk family (B1 62, Lot 1) played an important role in Ypsilanti's history. Daniel Quirk Sr. built the large Second Empire home at 304 N. Huron Street. He was president of the First National Bank in Ypsilanti. He promoted the railroad and also helped Ypsilanti open an opera house. His son, Daniel Quirk Jr., who also served as president of the bank, donated the home for Ypsilanti's city hall. He was very interested in theatre and Quirk Theater on EMU's campus is named for him. Another family member, Daniel Trowbridge Quirk, was president of Peninsular Paper and Ypsilanti mayor from 1947-52.
Timothy Showerman (B1 80, Lot 1) lived at 206 N. Huron Street. His house, with large library addition, became a court building at one time and is now law offices. He operated a sawmill and helped build the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Washtenaw and Washington Streets in the city.
The Starkweathers, (B1 87, Lot 2) Mary Ann and John, had no children and when Mary Ann was left a small fortune, she donated much of it to the betterment of Ypsilanti. They lived at 130 N. Huron St. for a short time. Mary Ann donated the home to the Ladies Library Association; it later became Ypsilanti's city library and is now again a private home. She also donated funds for Starkweather Hall on Eastern Michigan University's campus, the Starkweather fountain (installed just west of what is now city hall and now lost), and the Soldiers Monument here in the cemetery.
The Towner family (B1 62, lot 18) lived in the small house at 303 N. Huron for 100 years. It is thought to be the oldest house on its original foundation in the city. They were active in city activities, and Tracy Towner was a lawyer and mayor from 1910-12.
Dr. John Watling (B 53, Lot 12) built his home and dental clinic at 125 and 119 N. Huron Street. He helped found and taught at the School of Dentistry at the University of Michigan. He was interested in improving and upgrading the standards of dentistry, which were very weak at the time.
