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Oakland Cemetery (Iowa City, Iowa)
Encyclopedia
Oakland Cemetery is located on the north side of Iowa City, Iowa
, and has served as the main cemetery for Iowa City since 1843.
, a large natural area in Iowa City.
was erected in 1913 as a memorial to Nicholas Feldevert. Local lore and superstition surround this beautiful, but eerie, Angel of Death
.
The story of the Black Angel dates back to the late 19th century when Teresa Feldevert traveled to Iowa City from an area that is now known as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Her first marriage produced her son, Edward Dolezal, who died in Iowa City in 1891. Teresa had the bronze angel statue made in Chicago by Czech-American sculptor Mario Korbel and transported to Iowa City to be placed in the cemetery in 1913. Her second husband, Nicholas Feldevert’s ashes were placed in a repository at the base of the statue. When Teresa died in 1924, her ashes were placed beside her husband’s. Though the monument displays Teresa’s birthdate, there is no sign of her deathdate. Over the year the bronze statue oxidized, acquiring a greenish-black patina.
Many students and surrounding residents of Iowa City visit the statue. The biggest night of attraction is Halloween where students and residents gather around the statue, some test their luck by touching or kissing the statue. It is said that if one touches or kisses the statue they will be struck dead, unless that person is a virgin. It is also rumored that if a pregnant woman walks beneath the statue’s stretched wings that she will miscarry. Unfortunately, vandals have damaged the statue, removing several fingers.
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
, and has served as the main cemetery for Iowa City since 1843.
Cemetery history
Oakland Cemetery was deeded to the residents of Iowa City on February 13, 1843. Over the years the cemetery has expanded to 40 acres (161,874.4 m²). Supported by taxpayers, the cemetery is a non-perpetual care facility. As a public institution anyone can be buried in Oakland, but traditionally it was a Protestant cemetery; Catholics were usually buried in the nearby St. Joseph Cemetery, and Jewish Iowa Citians were buried at Agudas Achim Cemetery. Oakland is adjacent to Hickory Hill ParkHickory Hill Park
Hickory Hill Park is a large natural area in northeast Iowa City, Iowa consisting of of forest, abandoned fields, reconstructed prairie, wetlands, and parkland centered around Ralston Creek and its tributary drainages. It is owned and administered by the city, with help from Friends of Hickory...
, a large natural area in Iowa City.
Black Angel
A locally famous monument, the 8.5 feet (2.6 m) tall "Black Angel" statue by Mario KorbelMario Korbel
Mario Joseph Korbel, American sculptor born in Osik, Bohemia on March 22, 1882 to a clergyman, Joseph Korbel and his wife Katherina Dolezal Korbel. He began studying sculpture in his homeland, continuing his studies after moving to the United States at age 18...
was erected in 1913 as a memorial to Nicholas Feldevert. Local lore and superstition surround this beautiful, but eerie, Angel of Death
Death (personification)
The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood...
.
The story of the Black Angel dates back to the late 19th century when Teresa Feldevert traveled to Iowa City from an area that is now known as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Her first marriage produced her son, Edward Dolezal, who died in Iowa City in 1891. Teresa had the bronze angel statue made in Chicago by Czech-American sculptor Mario Korbel and transported to Iowa City to be placed in the cemetery in 1913. Her second husband, Nicholas Feldevert’s ashes were placed in a repository at the base of the statue. When Teresa died in 1924, her ashes were placed beside her husband’s. Though the monument displays Teresa’s birthdate, there is no sign of her deathdate. Over the year the bronze statue oxidized, acquiring a greenish-black patina.
Many students and surrounding residents of Iowa City visit the statue. The biggest night of attraction is Halloween where students and residents gather around the statue, some test their luck by touching or kissing the statue. It is said that if one touches or kisses the statue they will be struck dead, unless that person is a virgin. It is also rumored that if a pregnant woman walks beneath the statue’s stretched wings that she will miscarry. Unfortunately, vandals have damaged the statue, removing several fingers.
Notable Graves
- Robert LucasRobert Lucas (governor)Robert Lucas was the 12th Governor of the U.S. state of Ohio, serving from 1832 to 1836. He served as the first Governor of Iowa Territory from 1838 to 1841.-Early life:...
, Governor of Ohio and First Territorial Governor of Iowa. - Samuel J. KirkwoodSamuel J. KirkwoodSamuel Jordan Kirkwood , was an American politician best known as Iowa's American Civil War Governor. He also served in the U.S. Senate and as U.S. Secretary of the Interior.-Early life and career:...
, Civil War Governor of Iowa and U.S. Senator. - Eleanor Hoyt BrainerdEleanor Hoyt BrainerdEleanor Hoyt Brainerd was an American author of the early 20th century. She published at least 10 novels, mostly written for young women.- Childhood :...
, popular novelist. - Walter A. Jessup, educator.
- Virgil M. Hancher, educator.
- Walter Hoyt, a founder of the Eleutherian CollegeEleutherian CollegeA U.S. National Historic Landmark, Eleutherian College, founded in 1848 as Eleutherian Institute, was the first college in Indiana to admit students without regard to race or sex. It is now a public museum....
. - Irving WeberIrving WeberIrving B. Weber was a local athlete, businessman, and historian in Iowa City, Iowa.He was the first athlete at the University of Iowa to make the All-American Swimming Team....
, beloved historian.