Baltimore National Cemetery

GPS Coordinates: 39.277612, -76.708598
County: City of Baltimore
Record count: 38,604

Ownership: National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Directions: The main entrance to the cemetery lies in the Beechfield community of Baltimore City, while the remaining portion of the cemetery lies in the Catonsville community of Baltimore County. From the city center, take Frederick Ave west towards I-695. Entrance road is named "Portal Dr.".

Background: Baltimore National Cemetery was established between 1934-1939 as one of seven national cemeteries created during the interwar period to serve a growing veteran population. Located in Baltimore's Beechfield neighborhood, it was built on the historic Cloud Capped estate, which dated to 1750 and was once owned by Charles Carroll, a Declaration of Independence signer. The site's strategic location along Frederick Road and proximity to downtown Baltimore made it ideal for the cemetery's purpose.

Construction began on February 10, 1937, utilizing extensive labor from the New Deal's Work Projects Administration. The first interment occurred on December 22, 1936, before construction was complete, while the cemetery was officially dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1941.

The cemetery experienced significant growth following World War II and became one of the seven busiest national cemeteries in the system. In 1967, when Arlington National Cemetery enacted burial restrictions, many Mid-Atlantic veterans were diverted to Baltimore, dramatically increasing demand. This led to the cemetery's closure to new burials in 1970, except for reserved gravesites.

Burial Records

• Veterans Affairs Database, by Interment.net, April 17, 2025, (38,604 records)

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