River Bend Cemetery Vault

In 1894, the Smith Granite Company produced the receiving vault for the River Bend Cemetery for $3000. The vault was designed to house the bodies of those who died when the ground was frozen. In the spring, when the ground thawed, a permanent grave could be dug.

The receiving vault is Gothic in design and features the use of rock-faced, red Westerly granite for the walls and hammered, blue Westerly granite for the trim. Polished blue Granite columns with Corinthian capitals flank the red polished granite doors, making this vault very unique.

© 2012 Babcock-Smith House Museum