Click here to view some of the sites
you will see on our tour

Cemetery Art and Architecture at Crown Hill

By wandering through just a handful of the cemetery's burial sections, you will discover first hand Victorian and modern day attitudes toward death and memorialization and see the symbolism used in a variety of statues, monuments, and mausoleums. By driving to the sections we walk through, we will maximize our viewing of some of Crown Hill's most beautiful monuments. The regular tour lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours, but optional additions to visit some of the statues in the less often seen eastern portion of the cemetery, and/or some unique monuments incorporating photographs of the deceased could add another 30 to 45 minutes.

Civil War Tour

The Civil War was still being fought when Crown Hill opened its gates in 1864. On this tour we examine the lives of the many brave soldiers and generals who took part in the War Between the States, and of the politicians, journalists, and even household servants whose lives influenced and were influenced by our country's great conflict. Walking Tour, approximately one mile, 1 1/2 hours. Click here to learn more about the "Confederate Mound", the final resting place of 1,616 Confederate prisoners of war.

Crown Hill's Authors

A driving/walking tour in which we will see the graves of several of Indian's early poets, three of the giants of the Golden Age of Indiana Literature, Abe Martin's Kin Hubbard and other more contemporary writers like Etheridge Knight, and family members of Indianapolis' two best known contemporary writers, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Dan Wakefield. Not only are their lives discussed, but we will read selections from their works, many of which refer to Crown Hill or some of its permanent residents. Approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Crown Hill's Actors, Artists, Architects and Musicians

Crown Hill's Famous Funerals:
A Short History of American Burial Customs

Develop an appreciation for the evolution of American funerals as we take a closer look at some of Crown Hill's most famous funeral services, including those of Vice President Thomas Hendricks, Poet James Whitcomb Riley, Bank Robber John Dillinger, and Door-to-Door salesman Herbie Wirth. Find answers to questions about cremation, traditional grief attire and embalming.

Crown Hills African Americans

Learn about our city's Black heritage as we see where some of our most famous and influential African American citizens like James T. V. Hill, Rev. Mozel Sanders, Charles Taylor, Roger Brown and many more are buried.

Heritage Tour

As Crown Hills most popular tour, the Heritage Tour presents the history of Crown Hill Cemetery while visiting the graves of some of the many interesting people buried here, both the famous and not so Famous, recent and long gone. A variety of monuments, including some of our most recognized statues are included, as well as the view of the downtown skyline from James Whitcomb Riley's tomb high atop beautiful Crown Hill. Walking Tour, approximately one mile, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Pioneer Tour

Learn the early history of Indianapolis through the stories of those who lived here between 1820 and 1850. See the graves of the men whose names live on through our street names: Fletcher, Morris, McCarty; of Alexander Ralston, the man who platted out our city streets, and of other men and women who contributed to our city and states early social, political, and commercial development. Walking Tour, approximately one mile, 1 1/2 hours.

Crown Hills Celebrities

This walking/driving tour will take us to the graves of Crown Hill's famous and infamous not necessarily covered on any of the other tours, such as Robert Irsay, John Dillinger, Nancy Clem, and Cannonball Baker.

Crown Hills Politicians

Because of Indianapolis place as Indians capital city, and Indiana's pivotal place in national politics in the late 19th and early 20th century, on this tour we are able to visit the gravesites of one president, three vice presidents (more than in any other cemetery), three other prominent, though unsuccessful vice presidential candidates, ten Indiana governors, fourteen U.S. Senators, and numerous other cabinet officers, representatives, diplomats, state legislators, and mayors. The tour is made more interesting by giving many personal anecdotes which reveal their personalities and not just their politics. Walking Tour, 1 1/2 to 2 hours, a little over a mile.

• 555 Acres
• It is estimated that 82% of those who lived in Indianapolis prior to 1825, and who stayed here, are now buried at Crown Hill.
• Crown Hill is the 3rd largest (non-government) cemetery in the United States.
• 1,200 to 1,500 burials are made at Crown Hill each year, with over 180,000 total.
• Crown Hill contains 25 miles of paved roads.
• Is the only Indiana cemetery with a U.S. President, 3 Vice Presidents, and 4 unsuccessful VP candidates.
• The cemetery was listed on The National Register of Historic Places in 1973.