1. Trees
‘Tis the season for gorgeous fall colors, and the cemetery’s 280 acres boast a collection ranging from evergreens to maples, oaks, hackberry, elm, honey locust and others. Look for a brochure in the cemetery office that offers a tour of historic trees on the grounds.
2. Flowers
‘Tis not the season for flowers, but file this away for spring and summer. In addition to an abundance of flower beds, Fairmount boasts a heritage rose garden surrounding a gazebo built in 1999. Over the decades, families planted roses on gravesites throughout the cemetery, and landscapers have collected cuttings from them to fill the garden. All told, 59 varieties of old roses have been located in the cemetery, according to the brochure “The Old Roses of Fairmount Cemetery,” published in 2000. In all things green, Fairmount benefits by being adjacent to the High Line Canal.
3. Wildlife
Fairmount has been designated a wildlife viewing site by the state Division of Wildlife. Cavoto says it’s not unusual for activities to stop while deer put in an appearance. He says you’re most likely to spot critters early and late in the day. Animals regularly seen on the grounds include foxes, deer, coyotes, raccoons, hawks and owls.
4. Historical tours
This is one of the best-developed resources at the cemetery. Guided and self-guided tours are offered on myriad topics, including historic Colorado, which features the gravesites of pioneers, business people, politicians and scoundrels. Another tour visits graves of distinguished Colorado women, including Mary Elitch Long, Emily Griffith, Florence Sabin and Helen Bonfils. Yet another tour views monuments and graves of military veterans from the Mexican War of the 1840s to the recent past, including a section dedicated to soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought for America in World War II. And there’s a tour of the cemetery’s many sculptural and architectural treasures: mausoleums, monuments and headstones that display the artistry of fine craftsmen over the years.
5. Peaceful contemplation
In addition to the miles of quiet lanes, beautiful trees and flowers, and impressive sculptures, the view to the west from Fairmount is impressive. Depending on where you’re standing, Cavoto says, you can see from Longs Peak to Mount Evans. And the serenity is habit-forming. It’s common to drive past the rose garden and see someone sitting in the gazebo, “drinking a Starbucks and eating a sandwich,” he says.
6. Events
• Veterans Day. Fairmount will honor America’s military veterans Nov. 11 with walking tours of the military gravesites and memorials. Before then, on Nov. 7 and 8, Fairmount is asking for the public’s help in locating veterans’ graves outside the military sections and planting flags on them. Call the Fairmount Heritage Foundation at 303-322-3895 for times and more information.
• Candlelight Remembrance services. Nondenominational Christmas-themed services Dec. 13 and 15 will feature snacks, holiday music and the chance to hang an ornament in memory of a loved one on a Christmas tree.
• Memorial Day. Fairmount will celebrate Memorial Day on May 31 with the Nisei Memorial commemorating Japanese-Americans who fought for the U.S. in World War II, as well as several other walking tours of military sites.
• Rose Sale. Cuttings from the many varieties of roses on the cemetery grounds will be sold in late May. Call 303-322-3895 for details.
• Roses Tour. This look at the old roses will be scheduled when the flowers are in full bloom, sometime in June.
• Colorado Day Concert. Bring a picnic meal and folding chairs and enjoy free music on a date in late July just before Colorado Day, which is Aug. 1.
• First Fridays. Classic movies are shown with free snacks in the mortuary chapel on the first Friday of every month.
Fairmount Cemetery is located at 430 S. Quebec St., Denver. To schedule a group tour or to obtain other information about events at Fairmount Cemetery, call the Fairmount Heritage Foundation at 303-322-3895. Or check out the website at .
