Lebanon Cemetery

Lebanon Cemetery is the largest and one of the oldest African-American cemeteries in York County, Pennsylvania. Having a dignified place for African-Americans to bury their families with respect and dignity was a challenge due to segregation and prejudicial policies embedded in the charters of other local cemeteries. The black churches of the city were located on relatively small lots that didn't afford them the required space to bury their members. Aside from the Catholic cemetery, the only other option was the Potter's Field on the Commons.

Lebanon Cemetery was a collaborative effort by the Black citizens of York to address those problems by establishing a new cemetery company. On August 26, 1872, the Court of Common Pleas of York County, Pennsylvania granted a charter to the nine managers of the Lebanon Cemetery Company - Professor James Smallwood, Richard S. Wilson, Alexander McKinney, Isaac Gooden, Anthony Drowery, James Spangler, Alfred Butler, Thomas H. Cyrus, and George Washington, Sr. They wasted no time in purchasing almost two acres that were part of the Charles Yost farm in North York Borough, less than a mile north of the City of York along what was the York Haven Turnpike.

Lebanon Cemetery quickly became a beacon of community pride and a representation of York's African-American heritage. It is the chosen final resting place for over 300 Black veterans who served in battles dating back to the War of 1812. 

As the 20th Century unfolded, Lebanon expanded little-by-little to it's present size of just under five acres. It sits nestled in surrounding residential and industrial development.