Green Lawn Abbey
Why it's listed
Green Lawn Abbey is a 654-crypt community mausoleum on a slight rise at the edge of Columbus, Ohio. Completed in 1927 as the showcase of the Columbus Mausoleum Company, it measures about 150 feet wide and 77 feet deep. Granite from Mt. Airy, North Carolina, covers the exterior, and the central bay forms a temple front with four Tuscan columns, a pediment and flanking stairs. Inside, Vermont white marble lines the walls, Tennessee pink marble covers the floors, and stained glass from Rossbach Art Glass Studios fills many windows. Its five-part massing and temple portico reflect Palladian and British classical precedents. The mausoleum was listed for its architecture: it is far larger and more fully developed than other community mausoleums in the area, and it compares favorably with Neo-Classical examples elsewhere in Ohio. Notable burials include magician Howard Thurston and members of the Sells circus family. The building remains in generally excellent condition, though some stained glass has been lost.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mausoleum is a locally significant example of early 20th century Neo-Classical funerary architecture under Criterion C. It draws on Palladian and British classical precedents and was the finest and largest privately owned community mausoleum in the area. Its size, quality of construction and fine materials set it apart from other mausoleums in Franklin and surrounding counties.
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 07000632, listed June 27, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 700 Greenlawn Ave., Columbia |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | June 27, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000632 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1927 |
| Architect / builder | Columbus Mausoleum Company, Columbus, Ohio |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals/Neo-Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Generally in excellent and original condition, with minor granite cracks, some lost stained glass, and needed repairs to the roof, gutters, tuckpointing and caulking. Still used as a mausoleum. |
| Acreage | 2.8 |
| Coordinates | 39.94077, -83.01611 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 07000632.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5602792
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.