Cheesman Park is a wonderful reprieve from the concrete jungle of Denver. Watch Video. Denver’s Cheesman Park is a popular spot for tourists and local families alike, and it is easy to see why. Let us not forget the souls that were left behind when Cheesman Park … Cheesman Park was originally known as the City Cemetery. DENVER - The 80 acres of Cheesman Park where today dog-walkers, joggers, and outdoor enthusiasts gather, lies on top of what was once Denver's first cemetery. The Park has inexact borders, as it is framed on 3 sides by private residences, but is located in center of the Cheesman Park neighborhood, between Humboldt Street on the west, Race Street and Denver Botanic Gardens on the east, 13th Avenue on the north, and 8th Avenue on the south. The park was created in 1907, but before that, the land actually served as a burial ground – Mount Prospect Cemetery. Initially called Mt. Cheesman park is one of the oldest parks in the Denver area. The park is well maintained and its expansive lawn is a lovely place for walking, biking or simply relaxing. Located in central Denver, Cheesman Park is a former cemetery rumored to be home to nearly 2,000 angry ghosts whose graves were never moved during the park's development. Mission Park Cemetery hosts 5K for Day of the Dead celebrations. Hauntings in the area were the inspiration for the movie "Poltergeist." Buildings weren't built on the cemetery by mistake. What lurks beneath the surface of Denver’s beautiful Cheesman Park? But if you happen to be relaxing by yourself in the daytime, you probably won’t be alone. He allegedly cheated the city by faking the movement of hundreds of graves. Today a scenic park southeast of downtown, Cheesman was part of the 320 acres set aside as Prospect Hill Cemetery in 1859. Cheesman park is one of the oldest parks in the Denver area. In fact, in Denver’s earliest days, the cemetery was the final resting place of gunslingers, captains of industry, and ladies of the night. Carol M. Highsmith/Wikimedia Commons. Cheesman Park is located in central Denver, southeast of downtown. Geography. Renamed City Cemetery in 1873, it was divided into three smaller graveyards—City Cemetery (80 acres), Mt. That portion of land is now Denver’s Botanical Gardens. Denver's lovely Cheesman Park was once a cemetery, says the Denver Library. Cheesman Park was once Prospect Hill Cemetery, converted to a park in 1907, named such in 1908 for Walter Cheesman, a Denver pioneer. Here is a story about the old city cemetery that became a city park in the heart of Denver. Today, hundreds flock to Cheesman Park to relax and exercise but Cheesman was not always a park. When the majority of bodies remained unclaimed, the City of Denver awarded a contract to undertaker E.P. Before then, the recently established Denver was home to the large Prospect Hill Cemetery, which spanned the area that is now the Denver Botanic Gardens, Congress Park, and — you guessed it — Cheesman Park. In 1858, William Lamier set aside 320 acres of land for a new cemetery named Mount Prospect. It was originally a cemetery. He allegedly cheated the city by faking the movement of hundreds of graves. Masked and socially distanced "Sacred Seance" gatherings in Cheesman Park Cemetery. Things To Do. But if you are looking for an adventure at night, it’s the perfect place to check out for some paranormal activity. This presentation documents the transformation of Cheesman from cemetery to park. Many were never moved and are still on the grounds. Cheesman Park is located in central Denver, southeast of downtown. The contractor who was tasked with moving the graves was paid by the casket. Many were never moved and are still on the grounds. City Cemetery. 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