Warrensville West Cemetery Historic Preservation Master Plan

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Warrensville West Cemetery is located within the Shaker Town Center commercial district, is just over one acre, and is owned and maintained by the City of Shaker Heights. The first burial took place in 1811, making it the second-oldest burial ground in Cuyahoga County. 

The cemetery was designated as a local Landmark in 1976 and is a contributing site to the Shaker Village National Register Historic District. It is the final resting place of Pioneer Families, Manx Settlers, Veterans of five Wars, founders of Warrensville Township, and North Union Shakers. The cemetery’s last burial took place in 1955 and has fallen into disrepair throughout the years.

Learn more about the history of Warrensville West Cemetery and take a self-guided tour.

Warrensville West Cemetery Historic Preservation Master Plan

The City of Shaker Heights, in partnership with the Shaker Historical Society and Shaker Heights Public Library, has completed a Historic Preservation Master Plan for Warrensville West Cemetery. The Plan identifies existing resources and creates a framework to preserve, protect, and maintain the burial ground's historical, archaeological, architectural, and cultural value, will increase the site’s attractiveness, and will assure that maintenance and security are properly guided. The Historic Preservation Master Plan for the cemetery provides a roadmap to preserve one of Cuyahoga County's oldest burial sites and protect the remains of the people interred there.

This Plan includes:

Implementation

On April 29, 2022, the City began to establish a meadow with mown paths, as recommended in the Plan. Watch the video below to experience the transformation (and also see this Google Map capture of the early progress in establishing the meadow).

The City is pursuing grant applications to reset and repair damaged gravestones, a priority project recommended in the Warrensville West Cemetery Historic Preservation Master Plan.

Schedule

DatesMilestones
September 2021Project kick-off
September-October 2021Stakeholder meetings
October 23, 2021Gravestone Preservation Workshop
View the Powerpoint (PDF) | View the Gravestone Conservation Booklet (PDF)
November 11, 2021Veterans Day Cemetery Tour (PDF)
December 8, 2021Presentation of Draft Plan
View the Powerpoint (PDF) | View the Meeting Video
March 2022Plan completion
April 25, 2022Council adopts plan (view the plan)


Documents

News

Shaker gets historical grant for 200-year-old cemetery, gravesites: City Council recap (Cleveland.com)

History & Cemetery Tour Guides

Staff Contacts

Planning Department: Email Kara Hamley O’Donnell or call 216-491-1436