Woodlawn Cemetery Elmira
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1200 Walnut St
Elmira, NY 14905
Phone: (607) 732-0151
Open to the public: Yes
https://www.friendsofwoodlawnelmira...
Lat: 42.104271
Lon: -76.826492
PANICd#: 2260
Publication date: 04/04/2026Woodlawn Cemetery is the name of a cemetery in Elmira, New York, United States. Its most famous burials are Mark Twain and his wife Olivia Langdon Clemens.
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 2
Claims: 9
Evidence: 0
Resources: 3
Retrievals: 593
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History
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.
Woodlawn Cemetery was established in the mid nineteenth century during a time when the rural cemetery movement was reshaping how Americans viewed burial grounds. Chartered in 1858 and later expanded, the cemetery was designed as a peaceful, park like setting with winding paths, rolling hills, and carefully planned landscapes.
The cemetery was laid out by noted landscape designer Howard Daniels, who embraced the natural terrain to create a scenic resting place that blended nature with memorial art. Its design featured tree lined avenues, ornamental plantings, and elaborate monuments that reflected the Victorian era fascination with beauty, remembrance, and reflection.
As Elmira grew into an important regional center, Woodlawn Cemetery became a repository of local history. Many of the regions most influential citizens were laid to rest here, including politicians, military leaders, and cultural figures. Among the most famous is Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, whose grave continues to draw visitors from around the world.
During the American Civil War, the cemetery took on additional significance with the creation of the adjacent Woodlawn National Cemetery. This section became the burial ground for thousands of Confederate prisoners who died at the nearby Elmira Prison camp, a site remembered for its harsh conditions and high death toll.
Today, Woodlawn Cemetery remains an active burial ground and a historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its combination of natural beauty, architectural detail, and deep historical connections continues to make it one of the most significant cemeteries in New York State.
Added by: sdonley on 04/04/2026
DB#:868
Source(s):
Various Sources
Stories & Folklore
Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.
Woodlawn Cemetery has developed a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the Elmira region, with visitors reporting strange experiences throughout its historic grounds. The combination of Civil War tragedy, prominent burials, and Victorian-era atmosphere has created a setting where many believe the past still lingers.
One of the most well-known legends centers around the grave of Mark Twain. Visitors have claimed to smell cigar smoke drifting through the air even when no one is nearby. People often attribute this phenomenon to Twain himself, as he was famously known for his love of cigars.
Another commonly reported experience involves hearing phantom footsteps along the winding paths of the cemetery. These footsteps are often described as slow and deliberate, echoing through otherwise quiet sections of the grounds, especially during early morning or late evening visits.
Witnesses have also reported seeing shadowy figures moving between monuments and mausoleums. Some describe these figures as human-shaped silhouettes that disappear when approached, while others claim to have seen a woman in period clothing wandering among the graves.
Throughout the cemetery, particularly near older sections and the Civil War burial areas, witnesses frequently note cold spots and sudden drops in temperature. Paranormal enthusiasts believe these temperature shifts may indicate spiritual activity tied to the thousands who were laid to rest there under tragic circumstances.
Added by: sdonley on 04/04/2026 DB#: 1825
Source(s):
Various Sources
Added by: sdonley on 04/04/2026 DB#: 1827
Source(s):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxxsirDhwGo
Paranormal Claims
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, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.
| Claim # | Added | Added By | Claim |
| 4644 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Smell of cigar smoke near Mark Twain grave |
| 4645 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Phantom footsteps heard along cemetery paths |
| 4646 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Shadow figures seen moving between monuments |
| 4647 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Apparition of a woman in period clothing |
| 4648 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Cold spots reported throughout the grounds |
| 4649 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Sudden temperature drops near older graves |
| 4650 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Feelings of being watched while walking the cemetery |
| 4651 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Unexplained sounds in quiet areas |
| 4652 | 04/04/2026 | sdonley | Strange energy reported near Civil War burial sections |
Additional Resources
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.
| Woodlawn Cemetery | Haunted History Trail of New York State
Added: 04/04/2026 By: sdonley |
Information about the paranormal. |
| Wikipedia Entry
Added: 04/04/2026 By: sdonley |
Wikipedia entry for this location. |
| Mark Twain (1835-1910) - Find a Grave Memorial
Added: 04/05/2026 By: sdonley |
Author, Humorist, Entrepreneur, Publisher, and Lecturer. When he was 4 years old, his family moved from his birthplace of Florida, Missouri, to nearby Hannibal on the Mississippi River where he grew up on the waterfront. His father was an attorney and judge who died of pneumonia in 1847 when Clemens was 11. The... |
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