Ornate iron fencing or “Lacy Iron” is one of New Orleans’ iconic claims to fame, however, they also boasted unique cast-iron mausoleums in the mid-to late 1800s. Historic Greenwood Cemetery houses the majority of New Orleans iron mausoleums built by Wood, Miltenberger & Co. Ornamental Iron Works. William H. Reynolds (1834-1877) of “Reynold’s Foundry” in New Orleans is interred in the Metairie Cemetery in a cast-iron mausoleum with the maker identified as “Reynolds Iron Works–New Orleans.” This may be the only cast-iron mausoleum produced by the Reynold’s foundry. Another maker in New Orleans as evidenced by the well-known mausoleum of Otto Karstendiek, a Wine and Liquor importer, is in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. With Gothic Revival elements, the German-made tomb was a prop for the film Interview with the Vampire. Author Anne Rice was inspired by the design of the intricate tomb and chose it to be her vampire Lestat’s tomb. And finally the maker of the Leeds tomb in Cypress Grove Cemetery has not been identified, but is clearly different with its mythical Lion-Fish downspouts. Leeds owned the Leeds Iron Foundry in New Orleans which was responsible for the production of plantation equipment and later supplies for the Confederate Army and Navy.[x]
There are reportedly sixteen cast-iron tombs in New Orleans cemeteries, though I have only accounted for eight so far. Please leave details in comments if you know anything about the other eight.
1. C. A. Miltenberger Family Vault
Charles A. Miltenberger died in January 23, 1888 at the age of 73 of typhoid pneumonia. Miltenberger’s wife and four of his children are interred in the Miltenberger vault at Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Miltenberger’s Queen Anne style mansion now known as the Morris-Downman House is a historic landmark and is surrounded by a Robert Wood & Co. cast-iron fence.
Miltenberger was a co-founder of Wood, Miltenberger & Co. Ornamental Iron Works, along with Robert Wood of Philadelphia.
2. J.M. Pelton Family Tomb
John McDonnell Pelton, Lawyer, planter and sugar plantation owner, died June 12, 1874. He is interred with his wife Adrienne Margritta Lawrence Pelton in the cast-iron family tomb featuring angels with an inverted torch.
The maker is identified as Robert Wood & Co. of Philadelphia. The silver paint appears to be keeping the rust at bay.
Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana
Side view of J. M. Pelton Family Tomb
Inverted torches grace the sides of the Pelton family tomb with opposing gryphons, fore-paw raised to touch a lamp–a symbol of Immortality of the Spirit. An inverted torch with a flame symbolizes the eternal soul and the gryphon is a symbol of nobility and guardianship.
Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana
3. I. N. Marks Family Tomb
Isaac Newton Marks died July 2, 1898 at the age of 79. The tomb was probably built for his second wife and mother of twelve of his children, Leah Louise Samuels Marks (1838-1886).
The Makers of the Marks family tomb is identified as “Wood, Miltenberger Co. Makers New Orleans LA.”
Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana
I. N. Marks Family Tomb
Wood & Perot Makers
The maker of the cast iron fencing surrounding the Marks Family Tomb is identified as “Wood & Perot Makers, Phila.”
Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana
4. H. M. Summers Family Tomb
Judge Henry Moore Summers (1813-1865) is interred in the Summers Family tomb along with his wife, Sophia Dombrowsky Summers, and two of their children.
Also interred in the Summers mausoleum is the Judge’s brother, Colonel Alexander M. Summers who died June 18, 1888 at the age of 61.
The Makers of the Summers family tomb is identified as “Wood, Miltenberger Co. Makers New Orleans LA.”
Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, LA
5. Heation Family Tomb
Captain James Heation was born June 16, 1811 at Devon Iron Works, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. He was lost in a storm off the Tow Boat Porpoise at S. W. Pass, New Orleans, June 11, 1845.
Captain John Heation was born in Larbert, Sterlingshire, Scotland around 1804. He died in New Orleans September 11, 1869. John was with the “Good Intent” towboat company.
Captain George Heation, also born in Larbert, Sterlingshire, Scotland and died in 1873.
The Makers of the Heation family tomb is identified as “Wood, Miltenberger Co. Makers New Orleans LA.”
Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, LA
Heation Family Tomb Gate
The arch on the ornate oak leaf gate appears to be Wood & Perot #203 from their Ornamental Iron Work Catalog.
Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, LA
Wood & Perot design 203
The oak leaf arch matches the arch for the Heation family lot as well as the fencing. The gate itself has apparently be lost to time or theft.
6. Reynolds Family Tomb, Metairie Cemetery
William H. Reynolds (1834-1877) of “Reynold’s Foundry” is interred in Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans. Though the maker is identified as Reynolds Iron Works, the side panels are suspiciously similar to the Wood, Miltenberger designs.
7. Leeds Family Tomb
The Charles Leeds (1823-1898) Mausoleum in New Orleans’ Cypress Grove Cemetery does not have any visible markings identifying the maker. Leeds was Mayor of New Orleans from 1874-1876. Mayor Leeds died in 1898 at the age of 75 and became the first Mayor of New Orleans interred in Cypress Grove.
The creature on the downspout at left, a fish with the head of a lion and body of a fish, is similar to the legendary Merlion of Singapore.
8. Karstendiek Family Tomb
The family of Otto Karstendiek
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
[X] Paul Zachry and Kathryn O’Dwyer, Editor, “Leeds Iron Foundry,” New Orleans Historical, accessed July 22, 2023, https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1047.