PANICd#: 2241
| Oakwood Cemetery was chartered 11 April 1866, many of the stones have earlier dates as graves were moved to this location from other cemeteries. This is the largest cemetery in Mercer County with over 20,000 burials. |
600 N Oakland Ave
Sharon , PA 16146
Phone: (724) 346-4775
Open to the public: Yes
Lat: 41.241309
Lon: -80.499166
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 8
Evidence: 0
Resources: 2
Retrievals: 795
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
Oakwood Cemetery in Sharon Pennsylvania was established in 1866 during a time when the growing city could no longer support burials within its limits. As the population expanded alongside the industrial boom of the Shenango Valley, the need for a larger and more organized burial ground became clear. The cemetery was created just outside the city, offering a peaceful rural setting that reflected the popular garden cemetery movement of the nineteenth century.
From its earliest years, Oakwood became the central resting place for many of the region’s most prominent citizens. Industrialists, community leaders, and influential families were laid to rest there, helping turn the cemetery into a reflection of Sharon’s economic and cultural development. The presence of elaborate monuments and family mausoleums tells the story of wealth, ambition, and legacy during the height of the area’s industrial success.
In 1876, the cemetery took on an even greater role when remains from older burial grounds within the city were relocated to Oakwood. This included graves from earlier cemeteries that had been closed or repurposed as the town expanded. As a result, some headstones and burials within Oakwood date back well before its official founding, creating a layered history that stretches into the early years of the nation.
The cemetery is also notable for its connection to local history through the individuals buried there. Figures tied to industry, crime, and regional folklore all share space within its grounds. Stories like the kidnapping of Billy Whitla and the legacy of the Buhl family are directly connected to gravesites in Oakwood, making it not just a burial ground but a historical record of the community itself.
Over time, Oakwood Cemetery has continued to evolve while preserving its past. Historic structures such as Buhl Chapel, along with sections dedicated to veterans and early settlers, highlight its ongoing importance. Today, it stands as both a place of remembrance and a living museum where the stories of Sharon’s past remain visible in stone and landscape.
Added by: sdonley on 03/27/2026 DB#:825
Source(s):
Various Sources
Stories are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location.
Like many historic cemeteries, Oakwood has developed a reputation filled with local legends and whispered stories passed down through generations. Visitors often describe the grounds as having an unusual stillness, especially during the early morning hours or just after sunset. This atmosphere has fueled tales that the cemetery is more than just a resting place for the dead.
One of the most well-known stories centers around Lena Miller, often referred to as the Gypsy Queen. After her death at the age of 31, her funeral drew thousands of mourners from across the country. Her grave quickly became a site of fascination, and over time, people began leaving coins, jewelry, and other offerings at her headstone, believing it held a special energy or significance.
Another piece of folklore involves the older graves that were relocated to Oakwood from earlier cemeteries. Some believe that moving these remains disturbed the spirits of those buried long ago. Stories claim that certain areas of the cemetery feel heavier than others, as if the past refuses to fully settle into its new resting place.
Visitors and locals have also shared stories of shadowy figures seen moving between the mausoleums, particularly in sections with large family tombs. These sightings are often described as brief and unclear, vanishing as quickly as they appear. Some believe these figures are tied to the prominent families buried there, lingering near their final resting places.
There are also tales of faint sounds echoing through the cemetery when no one else is around. Footsteps, distant voices, and the feeling of being watched are common themes in personal accounts. Whether these experiences are the result of imagination or something more, they continue to add to Oakwood’s reputation as a place where history and mystery intersect.
Added by: sdonley on 03/27/2026 DB#:1784
Source(s):
Various Sources
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, your account must have contributor access or higher.
| Claim# | Claim |
| 4412 | Apparitions have been reported walking between mausoleums at night
Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley |
| 4413 | Visitors claim to feel sudden cold spots in certain sections of the cemetery
Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley |
| 4414 | Offerings left at the Gypsy Queen grave are said to move or disappear
Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley |
| 4415 | Shadow figures have been seen near older relocated graves
Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley |
| 4416 | Unexplained footsteps have been heard on quiet paths
Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley |
| 4417 | People report the sensation of being watched while visiting alone
Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley |
| 4418 | Strange lights or orbs have been seen in photographs taken after dark
Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley |
| 4419 | Voices or whispers have been reported when no one else is nearby Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley |
Paranormal evidence is based on claims that have been reported for this location. There can be several types of evidence; however, we have grouped them based on media type for better organization. Here you will find evidence that are logs, audio, video, or photographic.
To add evidence for a claim, you must submit it to PANICd.com for approval to be entered into the database.
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This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
| Oakwood Cemetery in Sharon, Pennsylvania - Find a Grave Cemetery | Oakwood Cemetery was chartered 11 April 1866, many of the stones have earlier dates as graves were moved to this location from other cemeteries. This is... |
| Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley | |
| Oakwood Cemetery | Sharon, Pennsylvania | Ever Loved | Get information about Oakwood Cemetery in Sharon, Pennsylvania. See contact info, answers to FAQs and more. Or send flowers directly to a service happening at Oakwood Cemetery. |
| Added: 03/27/2026 By: sdonley | |
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