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The Glenwood Cemetery Mausoleum in Mankato, Minnesota, holds a unique place in the state's history as its first-ever mausoleum. Its story begins in the spring of 1910, when the Iowa Mausoleum Company, with representatives E.D. Clethero and F.W. Fowler, approached Mankato. Mr. Fowler, a former Mankato resident, was instrumental in securing the city as the location for this pioneering structure.
The company aimed to construct a reinforced concrete building with a handsome design, iron gates, and doors. The initial plan called for 200 crypts, each to hold one casket and sell for $125. The Iowa Mausoleum Company also established a permanent headquarters in Mankato, planning to erect more mausoleums throughout Minnesota. To ensure longevity, the company committed $1,000 to a perpetual repair fund, estimating no repairs would be needed for 75 to 100 years.
Construction was slated to begin once 200 crypts were sold. By July 22, 1910, half of the crypts had already been subscribed for, indicating strong support from Mankato citizens. The building was estimated to cost between $30,000 and $40,000, with provisions for easy enlargement as needed. Local help and materials were to be utilized as much as possible. A key feature of the mausoleum was its "no decay" burial method, with each casket placed in a crypt, sealed with a concrete block, and fronted by a marble slab for lettering. The building was also designed with electric lights, efficient drainage, and sanitary arrangements, with each crypt ventilated and drained into a quicklime vessel.
Quicklime and Its Role in Historic Mausoleum Sanitation
In the early 1900s, mausoleum designs incorporated several innovative features to maintain cleanliness and reduce odors. One such feature was the use of quicklime — a white, alkaline substance made by heating limestone — placed in vessels beneath crypts to manage drainage from decomposing bodies. As bodies naturally release fluids during decomposition, these liquids were directed through small drainage channels into containers filled with quicklime. This substance helped absorb moisture, neutralize odors, and slow bacterial growth, creating a more sanitary environment within the mausoleum.
A common myth about quicklime is that it rapidly destroys bodies, making them disappear quickly. However, this is not accurate. In fact, quicklime can actually help preserve remains by drying them out and creating conditions unfavorable to bacteria. When quicklime comes into contact with moisture, it reacts chemically, releasing heat and transforming into slaked lime, which aids in moisture absorption and odor control. Rather than accelerating decomposition, quicklime’s main purpose was sanitation — keeping mausoleums hygienic and pleasant for visitors. This thoughtful design reflects the care taken at Glenwood Cemetery and similar places to balance respect for the deceased with public health concerns.
Other mausoleums built by the Iowa Mausoleum Company in other cities included:
Harlan, Iowa: 225 crypts
Waterloo, Iowa: 300 crypts (under construction at the time)
Des Moines, Iowa: 1,000 crypts and a 580 crypt building (under construction, selling for $250 each)
Kankakee, Illinois: 440 crypts
Detroit, Michigan: 1,000 crypts, costing $160,000
Oskaloosa, Iowa: 350 crypts, costing $160 each
While the average crypt price was $150, a special price of $125 was offered in Mankato for this first-in-state mausoleum.
The Iowa Mausoleum Company ultimately declared bankruptcy in the 1920s. Following this, the Glenwood Mausoleum became the property of the Glenwood Cemetery.
Today, the mausoleum is home to 100 burials, and crypts are still available for sale.
Recent Assessments and Renovations
In December 2024, a structural and investigative assessment of the mausoleum was conducted by an engineering firm. The assessment identified several structural concerns, including cracking concrete members (roof beams, column caps), settlement of the interior floor and structure (especially at the south end), and spalling concrete on both the exterior (weather-exposed locations) and interior (columns and dividers between tombs). The primary cause of this damage was attributed to the settlement of the foundation and supporting soils. Recommendations included hiring a geotechnical engineering firm for soil borings and digging a test pit to assess the footing condition and size.In 2023, a masonry restoration company proposed a scope of work for restoration, with a budget allocated for a small crew over a two-week period. This work was to include:
Removing all exterior vines.
Installing backer rod and sealant in large vertical cracks.
Repairing spalling concrete in lower areas, particularly the northwest corner, by addressing rebar corrosion and performing necessary concrete repairs.
Addressing "building-created" vertical control joints by installing backer rod and sealant to prevent water and creature ingress. Long-term solutions for these areas involve concrete spall repair and re-establishing control joints.
Considering re-grading for settled exterior areas near the floor line as a more economical solution than patching.
As of April 2025, window replacement at the mausoleum has begun, with a construction company undertaking the work. The old glass system has been removed, and temporary covers have been installed. A new design for a welded and powder-coated steel system with clear tempered glass has been developed, and the decorative stained glass panel is being restored for reinstallation on the interior. The budget for window and door repairs has been established, with an initial payment requested in April 2025. The work focuses on the interior and exterior of the window and door openings, with no priming or painting included in this specific proposal.
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