What) Established
in 1895, Hope Cemetery consisted then of 53 acres. By that
time, stone cutters from all over the world, especially Italy,
were flocking to Barre to enjoy the booming granite industry
in the city. It is estimated that one out of every three
memorials found across the United States was made using
granite mined in Barre. Barre is also known for having an
uncommonly high death rate, but that, too, is related to the
industry that made it famous. Silicosis, a respiratory disease
that is caused by inhaling granite dust, led to an abnormal
number of deaths in the area. When the Spanish Flu swept
through the area, many knew that death could be just around
the corner and got to work designing their own tombstones.
This tradition has carried on ever since and about 75 percent
of all of the stones found in Hope Cemetery were carved by the
occupants of the graves they sit above. (1)
One carving
depicts a couple sitting up in their marriage bed in pajamas,
holding hands, their tombs stretched out before them. There is
also a three dimensional cube resting on one corner with the
six sides each having a picture carved upon its face; a three
dimensional motor car, airplane and so on and on and on! It
takes about an hour to drive through and really explore the
extraordinary monuments. (2)
Where) 175 Maple Avenue
Why) I
guess that the possibility of so many great sculptures made it
impossible for me to leave this place off the list. 
