Cold Springs Cemetery
Why it's listed
Cold Springs Cemetery occupies 48.3 acres on a north-facing slope of the Niagara Escarpment in the Town of Lockport, New York. It began as a burying ground around 1815 behind Charles Wilber's tavern, holding War of 1812 soldiers and early settlers, and was incorporated by the state legislature on May 7, 1840. Its name comes from a cold spring that runs nearby. Engineer Fred E. Knight is credited with laying out broad avenues and approaches in the picturesque style of the rural cemetery movement, and the grounds contain winding roads, specimen trees, three mausolea, a receiving vault, and gates at the main entrance. Sections were set aside for a potter's field, a Quaker burial ground, and veterans. Grave markers include limestone, marble and granite stones carved with Victorian motifs. The cemetery was listed for its place in Lockport's settlement and development, its landscape design, and its funerary art, and it holds the graves of many of the city's notable residents.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the cemetery is an intact, representative example of a Victorian rural cemetery tied to the growth of the Town and City of Lockport. It is the oldest cemetery in the area, with winding roads, specimen trees and funerary art that show changing styles and mourning practices. It is also the burial place of many prominent Lockport citizens.
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 04000989, listed September 10, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4849 Cold Springs Rd., Lockport |
|---|---|
| County | Niagara County |
| Listed | September 10, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000989 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | ca. 1815-1954 |
| Architect / builder | Fred E. Knight, Engineer |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Landscape Architecture, Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a cemetery; the caretaker's house and sheds are altered and non-contributing. |
| Coordinates | 43.18270, -78.65696 (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 04000989.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5142376
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.