160 years ago, Springfield cemetery used dynamite to make vault for winter deaths

This photo from late 1987 shows the cave that was built during Ferncliff’s first year in 1864 as a holding place for those who died in the winter months and could not be buried right away. It was named “Machpelah” after the burial place of the Patriarchs near Hebron south of Jerusalem. The vault in Ferncliff was built at a cost of $914.26 and was created by “blasting out of the solid ledge situated at a beautiful and romantic spot on the bank of Lagonda.” PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This photo from late 1987 shows the cave that was built during Ferncliff’s first year in 1864 as a holding place for those who died in the winter months and could not be buried right away. It was named “Machpelah” after the burial place of the Patriarchs near Hebron south of Jerusalem. The vault in Ferncliff was built at a cost of $914.26 and was created by “blasting out of the solid ledge situated at a beautiful and romantic spot on the bank of Lagonda.” PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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Dec 27, 2023
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Nearly 160 years ago, during Ferncliff Cemetery and Arboretum’s first year, workers used dynamite to create a cave to hold bodies of residents who died in the winter months but could not be buried until the spring thawed the ground.

The photo above, taken in late 1987, shows the vault.

It was named “Machpelah” after the burial place of the Patriarchs near Hebron south of Jerusalem, according to research from the Clark County Historical Society. The vault in Ferncliff was built at a cost of $914.26 and was created by “blasting out of the solid ledge situated at a beautiful and romantic spot on the bank of Lagonda.”

The photo below, taken this week, shows the vault is still located in Ferncliff Cemetery, however, the entrance has been bricked shut.

Today, the vault is still located in Ferncliff Cemetery, however, the entrance has been bricked shut. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

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