A small group of influential city leaders begin envisioning a grand, garden cemetery in Minneapolis that is non-profit and open to all.

A woman named Maggie Menzel becomes the first person buried at Lakewood.

Lakewood acquires nearby greenhouses and begins growing flowers for the cemetery. One of the greenhouses is the oldest operating in Minnesota.

A streetcar connects Lakewood to downtown and a “Public Comfort” building is constructed for visitors to “freshen up” after the dusty trip.

Lakewood embraces cremation early on and builds one of the the state’s first crematories. Today, more than 55% of Minnesotans choose cremation.

The first funeral service is held in Lakewood’s new spectacular Memorial Chapel – which rivals the great Byzantine churches in Europe with its mosaic artistry and craftsmanship – had the largest mosaic interior in the U.S. at the time it…

Lakewood’s elegant new Administration Building opens with room for more staff to serve a growing city.

Lakewood creates its first Memorial Park, a trend in cemetery landscape design that feels more “park like” with all markers flush with the ground.

Former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey is buried at Lakewood.

Lakewood’s first cremation “gardens” are established, dedicated solely to the burial of cremated remains, signifying the growing popularity of cremation in the U.S.