Evergreen Cemetery was established March 23, 1853 in Union Township, today known as Hillside, New Jersey. Originally rural farmland known as Lyon’s Farms and John Teas Farm, Evergreen Cemetery came into existence when the tiny churchyards of Elizabethtown and the City of Newark became too crowded and parishioners needed a place to bury family members. Community leaders from the two townships organ
ized a non-profit, interdenominational cemetery known today as Evergreen Cemetery and Crematory. Evergreen Cemetery sits between the two counties of Essex and Union, and three cities: Newark, Elizabeth and Hillside, New Jersey. The cemetery’s design was prepared by Ernest L. Meyer of Elizabethtown, a young engineer who later became the City Engineer of Elizabeth. Ninety percent of the 115 acres that currently makes up Evergreen Cemetery was designed by Mr. True to the style of the day, Ernest L. Meyer designed the rural cemetery to reflect the Victorian view of death established by Queen Victoria, ruler of England from 1837 to 1901, that being one of romanticism. When you visit Evergreen Cemetery you will immediately notice serpentine patterned carriage paths, park-like green pedestrian paths and the unusual rectangular and circular burial plots. The roadways are named after some the 50 tree species found in the cemetery: Elm, Locust, Laurel and Oak Avenues. The walking paths were named after some of the picturesque flowers of the cemetery: Violet, Primrose, Olive Leaf and Myrtle. The chapel on Dayton Street was built in the style of an English Tudor in 1932, by one of Union County’s most prominent architects, C. Godfrey Poggie. Located next to the chapel is our brand new state-of-the-art Crematory. The Evergreen Cemetery Administrative Office was built in 1912 and where the farm’s original barn was located. Many people visit Evergreen Cemetery to site see the luscious landscape and to visit the grave sites of some of the famous people buried here. Some of those people include:
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Clark (1725-1794)
Famed Author, Stephen Crane (1876 – 1900)
Former New Jersey Senator, John Kean (1852 – 1914)
Former New York Governor, William Sulzer (1863 – 1941)
and 3 US Congressional Medal of Honor recipients just to name a few. A complete list of Famous People buried at Evergreen Cemetery is coming soon. Gothic Revival, Egyptian, Federal and Greek styled mausoleums and Tiffany & Co. tombstones adorned with beautiful stained glass, marble and bronze are highlighted throughout the cemetery. Evergreen Cemetery has been certified by the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places as a historical landmark, for its preservation of history as seen within its architecture, monuments and archaeological foundation. Evergreen Cemetery and Crematory is a non-profit, managed and operated by seven local Board Members and the Executive Director. Frequently Asked Questions
We provide many cemetery services and information to the public regarding burials and cremations. If you have any questions or need assistance with any cemetery related matter please do not hesitate to contact us or call (908) 352-7940. We are always happy to help.
