Scotchtown Cemetery
Why it's listed
Scotchtown Cemetery occupies a gently rolling parcel on Breesport Road in the Town of Erin, Chemung County, New York. It grew from the burial ground of a Presbyterian (Associate Reformed) church that was formed in 1836 and dissolved, with its building demolished, in 1874. Town leaders wanted a modern, well-run rural cemetery, and the Scotchtown Cemetery Association was incorporated in February 1881, receiving the church land and burying ground. Mature conifers are planted in a cruciform pattern, and an iron gate with a lattice arch marks the entrance. Monuments range from early marble markers to gray and red granite and a notable group of zinc monuments, including the Ennis, Burgess and Davis memorials. A ca. 1930 shed also contributes to the property. Erin's economy declined after the First World War and Scotchtown dwindled to a few houses and the cemetery. The site is valued as an intact example of a vernacular rural cemetery and as a reminder of the vanished community.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the cemetery illustrates the civic-mindedness, community pride, optimism and prosperity of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the largely vanished community of Scotchtown. It is described as an intact vernacular picturesque rural cemetery of the later nineteenth century. It was the premier burying ground in the town, as shown by the variety, sophistication and size of its monuments.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 08001229, listed December 23, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY St. Rt. 223, Erin |
|---|---|
| County | Chemung County |
| Listed | December 23, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08001229 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1880-ca 1950 |
| Architectural style | No style (vernacular picturesque rural cemetery) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a cemetery; contains a contributing ca. 1930 utility shed and a modern non-contributing restroom building. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.17905, -76.69809 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 08001229.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7435563
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.