Colorado’s Mount Lindo Cemetery and Mausoleum rests on top of a mountain that overlooks Highway 285 and Denver. On the East side of the mountain is the largest lighted cross in the United States. The history of the lighted cross goes back to the Olinger family, who founded the Olinger mortuary company in Denver in the 1890s.
George Olinger Sr., son of Olinger mortuary founders, John and Emma Olinger, bought Mount Lindo in the 1930s. He later sold it to Francis S. Van Derbur, who was married to George’s daughter, Gwendolyn. Van Derbur originally intended to develop the mountain, but instead he made it into a cemetery in 1963. His father, Francis C. Van Derbur, expressed an interest in being buried on Mount Lindo with the spot being marked by a cross. Francis S. had the famous lighted cross installed on the East side of the mountain so his mother, Pearl, could see it from her home in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood.
The cross is 393 feet high and 254 feet across, and can be seen from the highway and parts of the city it watches over. It was partially conceived by designer Donald Lee Frees, who also worked on designs for many Olinger buildings, including the Tower of Memories at Crown Hill Cemetery. The cross was first lighted on Easter in 1964.
The Mount Lindo cemetery gates are on South Turkey Creek Road just off Highway 285 near Tiny Town. Mount Lindo rises 7660 feet above sea level and is owned and operated by Olinger Mortuary.
Photograph:
Mount Lindo Cross from the Morrison exit off Highway 285, 10 November 2006; You can click on the photo for another, larger view.
Cemetery Burials:
For more information on Mount Lindo burials and Jefferson County, Colorado cemeteries see: Online Colorado Death Records Indexes and Cemetery Burials
Sources:
Jones, Rebecca. “Mount Lindo bears its cross: regarding the big cross up on the mountain…My husband says there’s a graveyard there.” Rocky Mountain News, 2 March 1997, p. 27D.
Martin, Claire. “A Colorado Life: Designer helped conceive huge Mount Lindo cross.” The Denver Post, 15 December 2004, p. C10.
April 9, 2007 at 7:15 pm |
Just stumbled in here a few days ago … this is a fascinating topic. Great idea for a blog, I’m going to hang back and see what else develops.
April 22, 2008 at 10:30 am |
This is one of the most spectacular and original places I have ever been. My Mother’s ashes are scattered here and I could think of no place else she would rather be. If ever in Colorado, this is a site to see. The hand made monuments at the top of the mountain are absolutely beautiful. As well as the view!!!!!!!
April 22, 2008 at 1:53 pm |
Hi Theresa,
I saw your comment on your mother’s ashes at Olinger Mount Lindo. I thought you would be interested to know that June 22, 2008 there is an event called Hike for Hospice that benefits Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice. The event is at Olinger Mount Lindo and when hikers reach the top, they can release a dove in honor or memory of a loved one. You can register or find out more information at http://www.hikeforhospice.org, or call 303.715.7615. Hope to see you then! Thanks, Paige
February 3, 2009 at 8:37 am |
I love this cross in Colorado. I remember the hue and cry that went up when some people wanted it taken down because it violated their civil rights. Pilots protested that it helped them navigate when flying over the Denver area. I looked for it every time I had been away from our home in Littleton, because as I drove west I could see it and think: I’m almost home with my family. I just want to say thank you for putting this cross up on the side of the mountains near a place that was our home for 28 years.
May 5, 2009 at 1:33 pm |
I wanted to let you all know we will be holding the 4th annual Hike for Hospice at Olinger Mount Lindo on June 28, 2009 to benefit Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice. For more information, please visit http://www.hikeforhospice.org. We hope to see you there!
July 4, 2009 at 3:58 pm |
I grew up in Arvada, and could see the cross from my backyard. Looking at the “Cross on the mountain” always made me feel good, if nothing more than to know that we were blessed to live there. We moved from Arvada in 1978, but I’ll never forget the Cross on the mountain.
July 9, 2009 at 7:31 pm |
I just recently moved back to the Denver area and was real happy to see the Cross that has ment so much too so many people. It has welcomed me home with opened arms!!!!!
October 30, 2009 at 10:12 pm |
[...] Colorado’s Mount Lindo Cross The cross is 393 feet high and 254 feet across, and can be seen from the highway and parts of the city it watches over. It was partially conceived by designer Donald Lee Frees, who also worked on designs for many Olinger buildings, including the Tower of Memories at Crown Hill Cemetery. The cross was first lighted on Easter in 1964. [...]