MASSACHUSETTS - Legends who lie on Author's Ridge - Sleepy Hollow Cemetery - Concord, MA

Simple grave of Henry David Thoreau on Author's Ridge - Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, MA

Usually when people think of Concord, Massachusetts, images of Colonials battling the British Regulars come to mind as this was the place Emerson referenced with his "Shot heard round the World" quotation. It is interesting to note however, that only 1 mile away from where the skirmish at the Old North Bridge took place between the Colonials and British, is the beautiful, yet melancholy Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. As you enter the cemetery off of Bedford Street, there is an information kiosk with a map and list of notable persons interred here. There is a section in particular called "Author's" ridge where The Emerson, Hawthorne and Thoreau families are buried. It is a beautiful setting with deciduous hardwoods and pines shading the final resting place of these literary giants. What I found amazing was that Henry David Thoreau's grave was just a simple, tiny stone simply titled "Henry". Nearby is Nathaniel Hawthorne's simple white headstone. Across the path is a tiny rectangle marker in the ground marking the final resting place of Louisa May Alcott. When I visited someone had placed a single red apple on the corner of her grave. The final grave I will mention is a stunning giant piece of multi colored quartzite standing roughly 6 feet tall. Upon it is a green square metallic plaque with the name Ralph Waldo Emerson inscribed upon it. There are numerous other interesting headstones and a walk down the lanes of the cemetery gives one time to consider whatever they may in a quiet, peaceful setting. If you ever visit Minuteman National Historic Park in Concord, Massachusetts, take just a few minuets, drive or walk the mile to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and visit the Legends who lie on Author's Ridge.