About Elmwood

By the early 1860’s the Perth Courier was replete with complaints about the two cemeteries in Perth. The Craig Street Cemetery (Old Burying Grounds) was in serious condition; its trees falling down, the fences in need of repair, the grounds unlevelled and grass growing wild. Originally four acres on the edge of the new settlement, the Town had rapidly expanded, surrounding the burying ground. 

Owned by the Town and divided into sections for each of the local churches, poor record keeping, neglect and disrepair was complicated by the fact that the cemetery had run out of room. Local health officials were shocked to find remains often buried just below the surface. The Town took emergency steps to control burials, ruling out any expansion, limiting access. Visiting the cemetery was discouraged. Just to the south, the Wesleyan Methodist Burying Ground, although not experiencing any similar problems or concerns would be painted with the same brush.

On the recommendation of the Health Board, any new cemetery would have to be located out of Town. By 1865 a committee of prominent Perth residents had formed committed to establishing a new “Protestant Cemetery.” Similarly a group of Catholic residents sought out a location for what would become their burying grounds. Because the new cemeteries were required to be located outside of Perth, the Town could not be part of the ownership.

The Consolidated Statutes of Upper Canada (1858) were very specific: essentially when sufficient shares had been sold, a “Company” could be formed. By late 1871 those requirements had been met and on January 19, 1872 the first meeting of the new Perth Cemetery Company took place. The Courier reports that the Judge Glass Malloch read the sections of the statues at this first meeting.

A farm outside of the Town’s limits was chosen and balloting began for the various plots, which were each 10’x10’, on November 1, 1872 and the cemetery, originally known as “God’s Acre” would named ‘Elmwood Cemetery’ by the Directors.    The first interment, John Warren (1809-1872), would happen one week later.

Throughout 1873 many prominent interments from the Craig Street Cemetery were transferred to Elmwood. The grounds were cleared and initial landscaping had been completed.

In 1874 many of the trees that line the graveyard were put in place. A chapel, a pump-house and caretaker’s home were constructed. Fencing and gates followed. The stone vault dates from 1896 and the stone gates were added in 1907. The chapel, which was located essentially in front of the vault, and the caretaker’s home were both removed in the 1920’s. One pump remains on the grounds near the entrance and is still working.

Elmwood Cemetery, recognized as “the prettiest cemetery in Ontario,” remains a Company managed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are dedicated to maintaining the stories the stones share. It shares the tradition of care, respect, and courtesy that were the hallmarks of its forming through to this day. 

We thank you for your support as we memorialize our past and heritage. Please consider making a charitable donation towards the future of Elmwood Cemetery.

Interested in more historical information about Perth’s cemeteries? Check out Ron Shaw’s article “In a Wood Open in All Directions: Perth’s Burying Grounds” (https://www.perthhs.org/documents/cemeteries.pdf)