LeMoyne Crematory
LeMoyne Crematory | |
| Location | Jct. of Redstone Rd. and Elm St., NW corner, North Franklin Township, Washington, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°9′38″N 80°14′16″W / 40.16056°N 80.23778°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Dye, John |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000078 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1996 |
| Designated PHMC | August 01, 1953 |
The LeMoyne Crematory was the first crematory in the United States. Francis Julius LeMoyne had it built in 1876 on his own land, perched atop a location known locally as Gallow's Hill in North Franklin Township near Washington, Pennsylvania. The first cremation took place on December 6, 1876. LeMoyne believed that cremation was a more sanitary way to dispose of bodies, preventing the contamination of drinking water. After 41 more cremations there (with LeMoyne being the third, in 1879), the crematory was closed in 1901. LeMoyne's remains are buried there.
It is a brick 20 x 30 one-story building.