Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, Madison Square Park, NYC
As you wander around your neighborhood, our city, and even across the country, you’ll find parks, streets, and other public spaces that honor those who served in our nation’s armed forces. The dedication and sacrifice of many service men and women memorialized at Woodlawn are often acknowledged on the signs, plaques, and visitor centers that introduce you to these special places.
Farragut, Tennessee is the birthplace of the First Admiral of the United States Navy. Throughout the United States there are schools, roads, and parks named after Admiral David Glasgow Farragut (1801-1870). In Manhattan, a statue of Farragut created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens stands tall in Madison Square Park at 25th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues.
The Lloyd Tilghman House in Paducah, Kentucky shares the story of a West Point graduate who was trained as a Civil Engineer. During the Civil War, Tilghman fought for the Southern cause and after surrendering Fort Henry to General U.S. Grant in 1862, General Tilghman was killed in the Vicksburg Campaign of 1863. A statue depicting his final moments was donated by his sons (New York bankers) and is located in Vicksburg National Military Park. In 1901, his remains were moved to Woodlawn where he was interred beside his wife.
Civil War enthusiasts participate in the activities of the Oliver Tilden Post, named after the first son of The Bronx to lose his life in the War Between the States. Along the North Border of the Cemetery, there is a large statue of a Civil War soldier that guards the Tilden Post Lot. The Archibald Gracie Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans were named after a member of a prominent New York family who moved to Alabama, married a southern girl and lost his life during the siege of Petersburg. General Franz Sigel (1824-1902), remembered for serving as a soldier and educator, is acknowledged with a park situated on the Grand Concourse and Public School #35, also located in The Bronx. There are statues of Sigel in Riverside Park in New York and Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri.
A local Veterans Post honors someone in Woodlawn’s care by bearing the name of a hometown soldier. The Bajart Post of the American Legion recognizes the service of Charles Bajart, Jr., a Yonkers native who served in World War I. Bajart died two years after the end of the war in the hospital at Fort McHenry, Maryland. His father, who was also a veteran of the First World War, recommended the Post be named after his son.
Clarence Fahnestock (1873-1918), Chief Surgeon of the 301st Infantry during WWI, was honored by his brother when he donated over 2,000 acres of land to establish the Fahnestock State Park in 1929. The accomplished surgeon was entombed in the family mausoleum situated on the cemetery’s Central Avenue. His generous brother is buried across from the Knollwood Community Mausoleum.
New York City Parks honoring Woodlawn Veterans include Bryan Park in The Bronx, dedicated to the memory of John Fraser Bryan (1885-1918) who lost his life in the Argonne Forest, the battle that ended the “War to End all Wars.” The Oliver Tilden (1828-1862) Triangle in The Bronx honors the first soldier from the Borough to give his life for the Union cause. Born in Morrisania, Tilden was a carpenter who volunteered to serve with the New York Infantry. He was initially buried in Bensonia Cemetery and then in 1878 his remains were laid to rest at Woodlawn.
Two New York City Mayors who served in World War I are remembered with statues, plaques and other naming honors. John Purroy Mitchel (1879-1918) was known as “The Boy Mayor.” After serving for one term, he joined the Air Service as a flying cadet. He was killed in a training accident in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mitchel’s service to the City and the country are remembered with a plaque at Columbia University, Central Park’s Reservoir, Mitchel Field on Long Island, and, at one time, an FDNY fireboat. Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia (1882-1949) is best known as the mayor who led our city through the challenging times of the Great Depression and World War II. LaGuardia rose to the rank of Major during the First World War where he served in the U.S. Consulates on the Italian-Austrian front. New York’s primary airport is named in his honor.
The names of many of Woodlawn’s Veterans are inscribed on the panels of the Vietnam Memorial, local World War II monuments, and places where those who served in the Korean conflict are remembered. At The Woodlawn Cemetery, we record the names of our veterans, honor their service annually by the placing of flags, and take the time to appreciate their service to our country as we walk the grounds of the cemetery and the public spaces named in their honor.