On the Side — Visiting Sunnyside’s Calvary Cemetery

First Calvary Cemetery sits on the southwestern border of Sunnyside, where Long Island City begins. It was one of the first New York cemeteries established outside of Manhattan. When measured with its sister plot, New Calvary Cemetery, it is the largest cemetery in the United States, at 365 acres, according to the city park’s department.

A visit the day before Halloween failed to turn up anything spooky. No zombies or witches, just a few groundskeepers, and an excellent view of Manhattan.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. First Calvary Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. It is one of the largest cemeteries in the United States. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt New York City News Service.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. First Calvary Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. It is the largest cemetery in the United States. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt New York City News Service.

Viewed from the shadows, One World Trade Center shined in the sunlight.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. One World Trade Center viewed from First Calvary Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt, New York City News Service.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. One World Trade Center viewed from First Calvary Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt, New York City News Service.

The loud rattle of leaf blowers cut through the silence.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. Groundskeeper Ronny Alberto inside First Calvary Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. It is the largest cemetery in the United States. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt New York City News Service.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. Groundskeeper Ronny Alberto inside First Calvary Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. It is the largest cemetery in the United States. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt New York City News Service.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. Groundskeeper Jose Rosales uses the leaf blower inside First Calvarty Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. It is the largest cemetery in the United States. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt, New York City News Service.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. Groundskeeper Jose Rosales uses the leaf blower inside First Calvarty Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. It is the largest cemetery in the United States. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt, New York City News Service.

But most of the people, that is, the ones buried here, weren’t disturbed.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. First Calvary Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. It is the largest cemetery in the United States. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt New York City News Service.

New York, NY. Friday, Oct. 30. First Calvary Cemetary in Long Island City, Queens. It is the largest cemetery in the United States. 10/30/15 Photo by: Devin Holt New York City News Service.