Visiting President Benjamin Harrison’s Grave in Indianapolis

In Indianapolis’s Crown Hill Cemetery lies the final resting place of the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison. Visiting his grave is both a step back in time and a quiet moment of reflection on a lesser-known but impactful leader.

Crown Hill Cemetery is a historic and beautifully maintained site offering sweeping views of downtown Indianapolis. Walking through its winding paths, you’ll pass the graves of Civil War soldiers, famous Hoosiers, and even notorious gangster John Dillinger. 

President Benjamin Harrison’s Grave

My wife and I visited on an early summer afternoon. We had just finished touring the nearby Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, which was his home. Our guide highly recommended stopping by the grave if we had time. 

The cemetery is large, but it was well-marked on how to get to President Harrison’s grave.  A stately monument marks his final resting place and is a tribute to a man who led the country during a transformative period in the late 19th century.

Standing before his memorial, you can’t help but ponder his presidency—his advocacy for civil rights, the modernization of the Navy, and his love of the outdoors. Harrison visited Yellowstone several times and created several other National Parks, including Yosemite. Unlike the grandeur of some presidential tombs, Harrison’s grave is dignified and understated, much like the man himself.

A visit allows for appreciating a lesser-known President of the United States with a meaningful glimpse into a historical figure often overlooked by textbooks. It does not take too long to visit. We spent about 45 minutes visiting the cemetery, and we also stopped at John Dillingers Grave.