Old Salts: Oakwood Cemetery Tour of Salt Barons Thursday Evening

Old Salts: Oakwood Cemetery Tour of Salt Barons Thursday Evening
by Samuel Gruber

 Syracuse, NY. Burr Burton tomb, designed by Horatio Nelson White (1866).  Photo: Samuel Gruber

Many of us enjoyed PACNY president Jeff Romano's tour of Oakwood Cemetery last summer, when he pointed out the stories behind the graves of those for whom Syracuse Streets are named.  This week Jeff leads of tour for the Historic Oakwood Cemetery Preservation Association (HOCPA) of the tombs of the city's Salt Barons on Thursday (July 26th) at 6:30 pm.

The tour begins at the Chapel. enter at Comstock gate and follow the tour signs.  The tour takes place train or shine, but will be canceled if there is thunder and lightning.  Wear comfortable shoes.

I'm looking forward to this tour, in part because on August 26th I'll be leading a walking tour of the Washington Square area, where many of the "Barons" presided when they were among the living.

 

 Syracuse, NY. Burr Burton tomb, designed by Horatio Nelson White (1866).  Photo: Samuel Gruber

At Oakwood, I assume we'll visit the tomb of Burr Burton (1804-1865) in section 12.  Burton was a leading salt manufacturer, and former state assemblyman who was shot and killed in his home in 1865 by an unknown assailant.  I guess gun control was a probable after the Civil War, too.  The tomb was designed by Horatio Nelson White, Syracuse leading architect at the time. Built of Onondaga limestone it reportedly cost $8,000. Read more about Burton on the Shades of Oakwood website.

For more information about the tour contact Connie Palumb at 315-415-2954.