Hartsdale Pet Cemetery
Also known as: Hartsdale Canine Cemetery
Why it's listed
Hartsdale Pet Cemetery occupies seven sloping acres in Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York. It opened in 1898 as the first commercial burial ground for animals in America and remains in use today. The grounds hold about 14,000 lots and 7,000 monuments, with roughly 70,000 interments. Early sections follow the rural-cemetery model of winding footpaths, mature trees and a brook, while later sections shift toward the open lawns of memorial parks. Surviving features include a ca. 1900 groundkeeper's cottage, an earlier carriage gate, a fifty-ton granite vault built in 1917 for two dogs, and the 1923 War Dog Memorial, a bronze German shepherd honoring Red Cross dogs of World War I. The cemetery matters because it was the first place in the country where grave markers expressing belief that animals have souls and an afterlife were created in large numbers. Its monuments also reflect the grief and wealth of early pet owners, including socialites and entertainers.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the cemetery is nationally significant as the first rural-cemetery-style burial ground for animals in the United States. It is also described as the first place in the country where material expressions of belief in animal souls and an afterlife were created in large numbers. Its monuments and landscape trace changing pet-burial practices from the 1890s onward, including the 1923 War Dog Memorial.
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 12000535, listed August 17, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 75 N. Central Park Ave., Greenburgh |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | August 17, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000535 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Areas of significance | Social History, Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a cemetery, with about 70,000 interments between 1896 and the present; the former groundkeeper's cottage now serves as the administrative office. |
| Acreage | 3.7 |
| Within district | Bronx River Parkway Reservation |
| Coordinates | 41.02339, -73.79671 (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 12000535.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q22022654
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.