Woodlawn National Cemetery

Woodlawn National Cemetery is a military burial ground in Elmira with separate sections for different groups of soldiers. White headstones stand in organized rows throughout the grounds, marking the graves of Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners from the Civil War period.

The cemetery opened in 1864 during the Civil War as a burial place for Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners held at nearby Camp Rathbun. Over the war years, the grounds expanded significantly as more casualties were interred on the site.

A bronze memorial erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1937 faces toward the Confederate burial area, marking the memory of southern soldiers who died in captivity. This monument reflects how different groups remember shared history across the grounds.

The cemetery grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset, allowing visitors to walk through all sections at their own pace. Pathways are maintained and easy to navigate, making it accessible for visitors of different abilities.

The Shohola Monument from 1911 commemorates Union and Confederate soldiers who died together in a railroad accident during the war. This shared burial site is a rare example of enemies resting side by side, marking an unexpected tragedy that affected both sides equally.

Location: Elmira

Inception: 1864

Part of: Woodlawn Cemetery and Woodlawn National Cemetery

GPS coordinates: 42.10917,-76.82833

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59