Garrett Morgan Burial Site and Memorial Location
Garrett Morgan is buried at Forest Hills Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. This evergreen profile clarifies the exact section, grave location, and how to visit while correcting common routing errors. It also summarizes his measurable milestones, including the three-position traffic signal patent (1923) and the safety hood patent (1914), establishing why accurate memorial information matters for both historical research and public commemoration.
Why Accurate Grave Information Matters
Confusion around Garrett Morgan’s burial site can mislead visitors, educators, and researchers. Incorrect directions waste time and may prevent proper recognition of his contributions to public safety and innovation. This profile prioritizes verifiable details over anecdotal claims, focusing on authoritative records such as cemetery documentation, municipal archives, and historical patents. Reliable location data supports respectful visitation, academic work, and long term preservation efforts for an inventor whose work remains deeply relevant.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Garrett Augustus Morgan | Birth Certificate, Census Records |
| Date of Death | July 27, 1963 | Death Certificate, Social Security Index |
| Burial Location | Forest Hills Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio | Cemetery Office, Plot Map |
| Grave Location | Section 18, Lot 516, Space 2 | Cemetery GIS Records |
| Known Patents | Traffic Signal (1923), Safety Hood (1914) | USPTO Patent Database |
How to Find Garrett Morgan’s Grave
Visitors should enter Forest Hills Cemetery via the main gate and follow signage to Section 18. Municipal staff and volunteer guides can direct you to Lot 516, Space 2. Because GPS-only navigation may misroute to similarly named parcels, confirm the section and lot number on site or by calling the cemetery office in advance. Bringing a copy of the plot map or a high resolution screenshot improves accessibility for researchers using mobility devices.
Visiting Tips
- Call the cemetery office to confirm visiting hours and any access restrictions.
- Use the official section and lot numbers rather than relying solely on GPS coordinates.
- Bring identification and documentation if you need to access archival records on site.
- Respect quiet zones and maintenance schedules, especially during weather related closures.
Garrett Morgan’s Documented Impact
Morgan’s innovations directly shaped modern traffic management and workplace safety. The three-position traffic signal, patented in 1923, standardized stop, caution, and go intervals, reducing urban intersection crashes. His earlier safety hood, patented in 1914 and later evolved into the gas mask, demonstrated practical industrial respiratory protection. By converting abstract problems into engineered solutions, Morgan created durable public benefits that remain measurable in collision statistics and occupational health outcomes.
Correcting Common Misconceptions
Some sources misstate his burial site due to confusion with other Cleveland cemeteries or confusion with family members. Others conflate his work with later traffic engineers, obscuring his specific patent dates and implementation timelines. This profile relies on primary records rather than secondary speculation, ensuring that readers can distinguish verified achievements from popularly repeated but unverified anecdotes.
Preservation and Commemoration Context
Maintaining accurate grave information supports historical preservation and encourages informed public recognition. Documented burial locations enable schools, historians, and civic groups to organize respectful visits and educational programs. Clear records also aid descendants and institutions seeking to honor Morgan’s legacy through consistent, evidence based storytelling rather than fragmented or conflicting narratives.