Bala Cynwyd, PA (10/8/2023)

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Several areas around Philadelphia have Welsh names, and one has to learn how to pronounce them. Bala Cynwyd sounds something like Bal-uh Kunwud (the 'y' is like a short 'u', although sometimes so short it sounds like a short 'i')

I don't remember my source for historic buildings that had me
look for the French International School in an 1886 building

Ironworks at Pencoyd Landing is a development in the
former Pencoyd Iron Works complex, now with a
Residence Inn by Marriot and a couple restaurants

The architecture firm CosciaMoos kept
the existing trusses and reused the
survivng metal skin

Not sure if this is the former train shed

A fountain created from iron works materials

This shed was used as an infirmary for the iron works

The shed is actually cantilevered over the river

A pedestrian (and bicycle) bridge over
the Schuylkill River connects to Manayunk,
a section of Philadelphia

Former Pencoyd Iron Works Office (1883) for the
company that was founded in 1852

Later we would visit Laurel Hill West Cemetery (founded 1869, when Laurel Hill Cemetery in East Falls, Philadelphia could no longer expand). Combined with Laurel Hill East, the Arboretum at Laurel Hill is 265 acres and includes several state champion trees.

The Chapel of Peace Gardens seems to start at the
entrance gate and driveway to the chapel

An isolated arbor across the street

The Garden of Memories is enclosed by hedges, with
paler green shrubs at each corner

Chapel of Peace

Mausoleum of Peace has granite-front niches
for cremated remains

Chapel of Peace Garden

Inside the Chapel of Peace

Gothic vaulted corridor to the mausoleum

The Columbarium has interior glass-fronted
niches for cremated remains

The Reflection Garden is for the scattering of
the ashes of cremated remains

Grave marker of Theodore D "Teddy"
Pendergrass, a Rhythm & Blues singer and
songwriter who was a major figure on
American Soul in the 1970s and 1980s

Grave marker for Paul "Billy Paul" Williams,
a jazz and soul singer, best known for the "Philadelphia
Soul" classic, "Me and Mrs Jones"

Thanks to this name on the back of the grave marker,
it was easy to find

Autumn is coming!

We never found THE state champion
Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula'/Weeping
European Beech Tree; however, Kent
stands at the trunk of several others we saw

Weeping European Beech Tree with tombs and graves
beneath the branches

Tomb of Henry M Schadewald
in Art Nouveau style

State champion Pinus wallichiana/
Himalaya Pine is tagged #1559

Is this a tree or a vine climbing a tree? (KSS)

The Laurels Pet Center offers Aquamation and burial services

Across the street is the Pet Cemetery

State champion Styphnolobium japonicum 'Pendula'/
Weeping Japanese Pagoda Tree, tagged #758

Nature's Sanctuary is certified SITES Gold, the first
cemetery to achieve SITES certification; which means
it is the green burial area with hand-dug graves and
only biodegradable or environmentally-friendly
caskets, shrouds, and urns are allowed

Horse-drawn hearse

Next: Laurel Hill East Cemetery.