Beacon Street Tomb

The Beacon Street Tomb is a historic receiving tomb in the Lakeside Cemetery of Wakefield, Massachusetts. Built about 1858, it is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[1]

Beacon Street Tomb
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Beacon St., Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°30′35″N 71°4′50″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1858
Architectural style	Greek Revival
MPS	Wakefield MRA
NRHP reference No.	89000714[1]
Added to NRHP	July 6, 1989

Description and history

The Beacon Street tomb is located on the south side of Lakeside Cemetery, itself set on the west side of Lake Quannapowitt. It faces south, away from the cemetery and toward Beacon Street, which runs along the cemetery's southern border. It is a single-story stone structure, built out of ashlar granite and covered by a front-facing gabled roof. The front facade is defined by four Doric columns, which rise to a fully pedimented gable, which has a louvered oculus window at its center. There are no windows, and a double-leaf door on the southern elevation.[2]

Lakeview Cemetery was established in 1848, on land previously owned by an ice harvesting company that operated on the lake in winter. This building, built sometime between 1858 and 1860, was used to store caskets during the winter months when burial was impossible due to frozen ground. It was used in this role until the 20th century.[2]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wakefield, Massachusetts
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
2. "NRHP nomination for Beacon Street Tomb". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2014-01-27.