Hi everyone: There is an interesting article in today's Cleveland Plain Dealer, Section F, Page 1 (with a nice picture of the gatehouse), about Monroe Street Cemetery. A group of people are working to restore and preserve the gatehouse which was built in 1876, as well as the mausoleums and archway. This article also states that Monroe Cemetery is the final home of many of Cleveland's Westside rounding families and purveyors of numerous breweries. It goes on to say that Monroe Cemetery is the oldest cemetery on the West Side of Cleveland. The first burial at Monroe was in 1818, before the land was officially a cemetery. In 1836, the land was sold to Brooklyn Twp. for burials, and in 1854, when Ohio City was annexed to the city of Cleveland, the cemetery was named the West Side Cemetery. That name didn't stick, and by 1874, when the distinctive arch was built over the entrance, the nickname became permanent. "Monroe St. Cemetery" remains etched in the blackened sandstone. The gatehouse was used for grieving famiies and cemetery records. (Those records are now housed at Highland Park Cemetery). No new burials have taken place there since the mid 1960's. To fund the renovation, there is going to be a seminar called "Restoring an Old House on a Budget" at 7 p.m. on June 12, at Franklin Circle Christian Church, 1688 Fulton Road. There is a voluntary $5 seminar fee which will be donated to the gatehouse restoration. If you're unable to attend the seminar, donations may be sent to Friends of Monroe Street Cemetery, 3302 Hancock St., Cleveland, OH 44113. I am not affiliated with this group, but just thought that it was an interesting article that I would share. Laura ____________________________________________________________ Click here for free information on consolidating your debt. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m2bkZQmTKQCukn1GLfmf1p5z1RIDq7IdhTw8pzEF6xf97qB/