On December 28, 1861, Francis Granger granted Henry B. Spencer eighteen acres of land, reserving one acre to be transferred to Rockport Township to be used as a cemetery.  Burials took place as early as 1830 before this land was recognized as a town cemetery; burials on private property were common practice for that time period.

Known by different names over the years, this little patch of land was first named Rockport Cemetery, at times also referred to as Rockport Pioneer Cemetery. There were three cemeteries in Rockport Township, all referred to as Rockport Cemetery (how confusing that must have been). When this area of Rockport Township became Fairview Village, the cemetery was then referred to as Fairview Cemetery. Since the cemetery is located in Fairview Park, the name was again changed and now known as Fairview Park Cemetery.

Many Fairview Park early families are buried in this cemetery, Spencer, Mastick, Wood, Jordan, Potter, and Lewis, to name just a few.  There are many tombstones with last names not as commonly known as the founding families. These less familiar names are often the last name of a married daughter or granddaughter of one of the founding families. 

In 1889 a small building was built over unoccupied plots in Section C and referred to as a vault.  This building was used to store the deceased when the ground was too frozen, and a grave could not be hand dug.  This building was not designed to be used as a mausoleum or crypt. Today, this is the oldest historical structure owned by The City of Fairview Park. 

The cemetery actually extended further north than it does today. When Lorain Road was widened, the front sections of the cemetery were paved over. Records identify occupied graves and where the deceased were moved within the cemetery.
Today, as you enter from Lorain Road, north is to your back, Section A is on the west side, and Section D is on the east side. Along the back of the cemetery is Section C on the west side, and on the east side is Section H. Not all graves are marked; many are without a headstone/tombstone. If you are unsure of a gravesite location, feel free to email your question to FairviewParkCemetery@gmail.com.

Chris H. Gerrett
Historian