Washington Cemetery

I often pass by this cemetery on my bike ride to Coney Island. It has long fascinated me until today I saw on a map the name of it. Doing some research on Wikipedia, I found out that this cemetery was built in 1857 as a result of the government initiating the Rural Cemetery act, ten years prior.
In response to Daniel’s review here, it was not initially even incorporated into Brooklyn county. The area was initially farmland, which was inevitably turned into much of the cemeteries of the area.
I have always found cemeteries to be extremely fascinating as historical pieces of art. Probably started with my interest in Anne Rice and the beautiful above ground cemeteries in New Orleans, which I was lucky enough to visit.
Looking forward to going to the Holy Cross cemetery soon, which I hear is the main Catholic cemetery in Brooklyn.

Yes, that’s right, a review for a cemetery.
I’ve actually slept here as a runaway. Slightly creepy place at night as howling winds can play tricks on you. There was one time when I heard voices and followed it, but it was just two people having sex.
This really isn’t the best location for a cemetery. Despite it’s small size, it somehow borders a sanitation center, two parks and at least three schools. A subway line (the F train I believe?) cuts it in half. There also seems to be some shady people hanging around when the sun goes down. I used to stand between the cemetery and the sanitation center and say to my friends «Well, if you’re a good person, you’ll go there when you die» and point to the cemetery. «If you’re not, I guess you’ll go there» and point to the sanitation center.
The Verrazanno does look amazing at dawn/​dusk if you can get high enough to see it, though I don’t suggest walking into a cemetery and climbing on top of headstones just to catch the view.