1800s Hearse Mule Shoes
Object/Artifact
The artifact consists of a set of heavily oxidized iron mule shoes, mounted on a custom wooden display base. A brass plaque identifies it as "Glenwood Cemetery – Mule Shoe of a Late 1800s Hearse." These mule shoes are believed to have belonged to a draft mule used to pull funeral hearses in Glenwood during the late 19th century. They were discovered during construction work at the cemetery. The curvature and dimensions of the shoes are consistent with typical examples from that era, designed for draft animals that towed heavy carriages and processional vehicles.
This artifact serves as a key reference for the study of 19th-century funerary equipment in Glenwood.
Glenwood Cemetery Walking and Archive Tour Highlights
unknown
19th Century
Wooden display base.
"Glenwood Cemetery – Mule Shoe of a Late 1800s Hearse."
English
Etched
horseshoes (animal equipment)
muleshoes
cemeteries
Horseshoes
Horseshoes
Muleshoes
Glenwood Cemetery
Hearse
Equipment
1800s
Iron Mule Shoes and Wood Base
8-3/4 in
10-1/4 in
3-5/8 in
Metal
Wood
This artifact consists of a set of heavily oxidized iron mule shoes, mounted on a custom wooden display base. A brass identification plaque states: "Glenwood Cemetery – Mule Shoe of a Late 1800s Hearse."
Brown
Black
Orange
Archive Room
Permanent
Exhibition
Poor
Oxidation
Rust
Discoloration
Flaking
Oct 3, 2025
The item exhibits significant oxidation and rusting attributable to the environmental conditions in which it was discovered. The item is also flaking and is in a fragile condition.
The use of or access to certain materials may be restricted for legal reasons or due to donor stipulations. Written permission to publish or display reproductions of Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. archive materials must be secured from the Foundation prior to use of the material. The following credit must be printed under each reproduction: “Reprinted with the permission of Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. & Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation”. Clearance of any copyrighted material is the responsibility of the person wishing to publish or display said material.