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Designed by Colonel James Lewis Glen of Niles Michigan, the cemetery design reflects the "rural" or "garden" style popular in American cemetery design from the 1840's. Highland is one of three "garden" style cemeteries that he designed; Forest Hill in Ann Arbor, Silver Brook in Niles and Highland in 1863-1864.
The cemetery is an attractive place to visit throughout the year. Its own seasonal beauty provides links with the natural ebbs and flows of life. The cemetery is home to a great number of birds and wildlife. It is not unusual to find at least a half dozen whitetail deer living on and around the property. These provide endless opportunities for observation by school children and adult enthusiasts. It has a rich array of plantings, including those native to this part of Michigan. The Michigan Conservancy has cataloged the flora, making a visit to Highland a treat for visitors.
The buildings and monuments in Highland cemetery reflect the great span of human civilization in their architectural styles. These styles reflect ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome with the great obelisks, urns, and columns that decorate many of the monuments. The massive stonework of the Romanesque and Gothic sit side-by-side along with the dark Victorian stones and the fragile and simple markers of the early 19th Century. Fanciful "rustic" markers in the shape of tree stumps and tree trunks, draped urns, closed books, cherubs, lambs and dogs are scattered throughout the garden-like grounds.
The Highland Cemetery Board of Directors oversee the care and maintenance of the cemetery. They ensure conformance with Government regulations while still meeting the Cemetery's and community's future needs.
Historical Highland Cemetery known for its tall iron gates, according to the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 943 North River Street, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan 48198.
Developed and designed by Colonel James Lewis Glen of Niles Michigan who was a civil engineer and landscape architect. The Highland Cemetery design reflects the "rural" or "garden" style popular in American cemetery design from the 1840's. Highland is one of three "garden" style cemeteries that Colonel Glen designed; Forest Hill in Ann Arbor, Silver Brook in Niles and Highland in 1863-1864.
Highland Cemetery in Ypsilanti, Michigan is a 100-acre cemetery founded in 1864. It was designed by Col. James Lewis Glenn in 1863. The cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.
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. Glen 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.
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.
Highland Cemetery covers about 50 acres, with a rolling, sloped topography which includes knolls, valleys, and ravines. A number of structures dating from 1880-1925 are included on the grounds. As designed by Glen, the cemetery features curved paths through stands of trees.
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. There is also a Civil War memorial on the cemetery grounds, which an inscription says was also presented by Mary Ann Starkweather. The entrance to the cemetery is located at 943 N. River St. The cemetery is located in a wooded area of oak, pine, cedar and willow trees. The gates at the cemetery entrance are constructed of decorative wrought iron and measure 10 feet high and 81 inches wide.
The Highland Cemetery Association, a non-profit cemetery company founded in 1863, owns and operates the cemetery.
In 2009, the cemetery began sponsoring an ice cream social after the annual Ypsilanti Memorial Day parade which terminates at the cemetery.
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
- Edwin F. Uhl, Mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ambassador to Germany and United States Assistant Secretary of State.