Looking for a property where you can rest easy?
Mount Vernon Cemetery, in North Philadelphia, has hit the market for US$1 million, offering potential buyers a plot with a lot of history – and mystery.
And among the most unique features of the property? It comes with 33,000 quiet tenants, although they won’t be causing any noise complaints.
The listing on Zillow reveals the cemetery comprises 26 acres, although much of it is heavily overgrown and volunteers have dubbed it the “green inferno”.
However, interested parties should dig deeper, as the listing omits several features: legions of ticks, patches of poison ivy, mysterious stuffed animals that appear overnight, and visitors seeking supernatural guidance, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Buying Mount Vernon Cemetery is no grave undertaking; it requires court approval due to its conservatorship under the Philadelphia Community Development Coalition.
The coalition hopes that the nonprofit Mount Vernon Cemetery Conservation Company will eventually assume stewardship, provided they can raise the necessary funds.
While listing the cemetery on Zillow was a legal formality, the viral attention it received caused grave concerns among those with loved ones interred there.
Brandon Zimmerman, volunteer coordinator with Friends of Mount Vernon, has reassured locals that the cemetery will not be transformed into commercial real estate.
“People were panicking … they got afraid they will move the bodies and it will become a Walmart. That will not happen,” Mr Zimmerman said.
Mount Vernon Cemetery was placed into conservatorship in May 2021 after neglect by its previous owner.
The Conservation Company needs $300,000 for ongoing maintenance—a goal that remains elusive with only $65,000 in pledges.
Established in 1856 during the rural cemetery movement, Mount Vernon houses notable figures like members of the Drew and Barrymore acting dynasties, Revolutionary War soldiers, and Civil War veterans.
Though new plots haven’t been sold since 1968, the cemetery remains a resting place and point of interest for many.
The site is a haven for foxes, deer, and other wildlife, with volunteers constantly battling overgrowth that seems almost supernatural.
Mr Zimmerman said some visitors also strangely view the cemetery as a portal to another dimension, adding to its enigmatic charm.
The Conservation Company envisions restoring Mount Vernon as a public park and green space, reconnecting it with the diverse communities surrounding it.
Mr Zimmerman plans to host tours to showcase the cemetery’s art, architecture, and historical significance.
As Zimmerman notes, visitors to Mount Vernon are often struck by its serene beauty.
“Everyone says the same thing—‘I can’t believe we’re in Philadelphia right now, and you can’t get rid of this,’” he said.
