{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox NRHP | name = Highland Cemetery | nrhp_type = hd | image = Highland Cemetery 1.jpg | caption = Cemetery entrance | location = 943 North River St., Ypsilanti, Michigan | coordinates = {{coord|42|15|26|N|83|36|37|W|region:US_type:landmark|name=Highland Cemetery|display=inline,title}} | locmapin = Michigan#USA | mapframe = yes | mapframe-marker = building | mapframe-zoom = 13 | mapframe-caption = Interactive map | built = {{Start date|1864}} | architect = Col. James Lewis Glenn, Ray E. Bassett, Julius Hess, Mason and Rice, Donaldson and Meier, Herman and Simons | builder = Batterson, Canfield & Co., Ames Manufacturing Company, Smith Granite Company | architecture = Stick/Eastlake, Romanesque Revival, Late Gothic Revival, Classical Revival, Rustic | added = March 4, 2020 | area = {{convert|50|acre|ha}} (landmarked area) | refnum = 100005026<ref name="nps">{{cite web | title = Weekly List 20200306 | publisher = National Park Service | url = https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2020-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf | access-date = March 9, 2020}}</ref> }} '''Highland Cemetery''' in Ypsilanti, Michigan is a {{convert|100|acre|ha|adj=on}} cemetery founded in 1864.<ref name="manta1">{{cite web|author=Highland Cemetery Association |url=http://www.manta.com/c/mm77d20/highland-cemetery |title=Highland Cemetery Association |location= Ypsilanti, MI |publisher=Manta.com |date=2010-07-13 |access-date=2011-05-19}}</ref><ref name="waymarking1">{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/gallery/image.aspx?f=1&guid=e530c1ec-524f-4094-92ba-6dbab607a156 |title=The Marker |publisher=Waymarking.com |access-date=2011-05-19}}</ref> It was designed by Col. James Lewis Glenn in 1863.<ref name="manta1"/> The cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.<ref name="nps"/>

==History== Ypsilanti had earlier cemeteries, established in the first half of the 19th century. However, by 1850 the city was expanding eastward, and in 1858 Mayor Chauncey Joslin proposed that the city purchase the plot that subsequently became Highland Cemetery. However, this move failed, likely over objections to using tax money to purchase the land. However, in 1863, a group of citizens formed the Highland Cemetery Association for the purpose of establishing a cemetery. They hired James L. Glenn to draw up a plan, and in 1864 purchased the land and dedicated Highland Cemetery. By 1880, nearly 550 burial plots had been spoken for. In 1880, the ornamental gate was constructed in the front of the cemetery, and in 1888 a Richardsonian Romanesque chapel was built in the center of the cemetery.<ref name = "nom">{{citation | title = National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Highland Cemetery | author = Robert O. Christensen | date = April 2019}}</ref>

In 1901, additional property to the south was added to the cemetery. A short time later the entrance lodge was moved, and fieldstone piers added. A mausoleum was built in 1925. Further portions of the cemetery were platted as needed, and Highland Cemetery remains the primary burial place for the city of Ypsilanti. It is still operated by the Highland Cemetery Association.<ref name = "nom"/>

==Description== Highland Cemetery covers about 80 acres, with a rolling, sloped topography which includes knolls, valleys, and ravines. The cemetery is located in a wooded area of oak, pine, cedar and willow trees.<ref name="manta1"/> As designed by Glenn, the cemetery features curved paths through stands of trees.<ref name = "nom"/> The entrance to the cemetery is located at 943 N. River St.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~miwashte/washcem.html |title=Washtenaw County, Michigan Cemetery Index Page |publisher=Rootsweb.ancestry.com |access-date=2011-05-19}}</ref> The gates at the cemetery entrance are constructed of decorative wrought iron and measure {{convert|10|ft|m}} high and {{convert|81|in|m}} wide.<ref name=gates />

A number of structures dating from 1880-1925 are included on the grounds. The cemetery is the site of the Starkweather Memorial Chapel which was commissioned by Mary Ann Starkweather to honor her husband. The chapel, an example of Richardsonian Romanesque style, was designed by George D. Mason and completed in 1889.<ref name="waymarking1"/><ref name=gates>{{cite web|url=http://www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org/publications/summer2008.pdf |title=Highland Cemetery – The Gates |format=PDF |date=Summer 2008 |publisher=Ypsilanti Historical Society |work=Ypsilanti Gleanings |access-date=2011-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://arctangent.smugmug.com/keyword/highland%20cemetery#950756800_L6Rhr |title=arctangent's Photos |publisher=Arctangent.smugmug.com |date=2010-03-04 |access-date=2011-05-19}}</ref> The cemetery also includes two Civil War memorials. One, known as the Ypsilanti Civil War Memorial, features an inscription stating it was donated by Mary Ann Starkweather. The other, the Ypsilanti Black Civil War Monument, honors the contributions of United States Colored Troops (USCT). Around 40 graves within the cemetery are believed to belong to Black Civil War veterans.

The Highland Cemetery Association, a non-profit cemetery company founded in 1863, owns and operates the cemetery.<ref name="manta1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lwfaaf.net/cem/mi/highland.htm |title=Highland Cemetery Association |publisher=Lwfaaf.net |access-date=2011-05-19}}</ref> In 2009, the cemetery began sponsoring an ice cream social after the annual Ypsilanti Memorial Day parade which terminates at the cemetery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.annarbor.com/community/news/ypsilanti/2nd_annual_memorial_day_ice_cream_social_-_highland_cemetery_ypsilanti/ |title=2nd Annual Memorial Day Ice Cream Social |work=AnnArbor.com |date=2010-05-26 |access-date=2011-05-19 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310221237/http://www.annarbor.com/community/news/ypsilanti/2nd_annual_memorial_day_ice_cream_social_-_highland_cemetery_ypsilanti/ |archive-date=2012-03-10 }}</ref>

==Notable persons interred at Highland== * Edward P. Allen, US Congressman and Civil War veteran * Owen Cleary, Michigan Secretary of State and president of Cleary College * P. Roger Cleary, founder of Cleary College * Byron M. Cutcheon, Civil War brevet brigadier general and Medal of Honor recipient and Congressman from Michigan to the U.S. House of Representatives * Justus McKinstry, disgraced Civil War major (brigadier general appointment expired without confirmation), suspended November 13, 1861, dismissed from service for corruption, January 28, 1863<ref>{{cite book| last = Eicher | first = John H. | last2 = Eicher | first2 = David J. | author-link2 = David J. Eicher | publication-date= 2001 |title= Civil War High Commands | publisher = Stanford University Press | location = Stanford, CA | ISBN = 978-0-8047-3641-1 }}</ref> * Edwin F. Uhl, Mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ambassador to Germany and United States Assistant Secretary of State<ref>{{cite web|last=Madonna |first=Paul |url=http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780786423859-2 |title=Review of "Rogue", a biography of Justus McKinstry |publisher=Powells.com |date=2011-05-13 |access-date=2011-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Lawrence |last=Kestenbaum |url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/MI/WA5.html#1KE0VZ0JU |title=Washtenaw County, Mich |work=The Political Graveyard |access-date=2011-05-19}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> File:highland cemetery starkweather chapel.JPG|Starkweather Memorial Chapel File:byron m cutcheon grave.JPG|Cutcheon family gravesite File:Highland Cemetery 2.jpg File:Highland Cemetery 3.jpg File:Highland Cemetery 4.jpg thumb </gallery>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commonscat}} * [http://www.highlandcemeteryypsi.com/ Highland Cemetery Official Site] * {{Find a Grave cemetery}}

{{National Register of Historic Places listings in Washtenaw County, Michigan}}

Category:1864 establishments in Michigan Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1864 Category:Cemeteries in Michigan Category:Buildings and structures in Ypsilanti, Michigan Category:National Register of Historic Places in Washtenaw County, Michigan Category:Cemeteries established in the 1860s