Evans City, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Evans City Cemetery is one of the most famous horror landmarks in the United States. George A. Romero filmed the opening scene of Night of the Living Dead here in 1967 — the moment Barbara and Johnny drive up the lonely gravel road and step into what would become the birthplace of modern zombie cinema.
Today, the cemetery looks different in some places and almost unchanged in others. Your five images capture both the historic film locations and the modern landmarks, giving readers a complete view of how this quiet Pennsylvania cemetery became a legend. (Night of the Living Dead is Public Domain.)
The Original Cemetery Entrance (1967)
This screenshot of the entrance sign and the car approaching the cemetery shows the real driveway exactly as it appeared during filming. The rural road, the bare trees, and the stark black‑and‑white tone set the mood for the entire movie.
This entrance no longer looks the same today, making your still frame a rare glimpse into the cemetery’s past.
Driving Into the Cemetery — The Opening Scene
The second screenshot shows Barbara and Johnny’s car traveling deeper into the cemetery. This is the moment before everything changes — before the first zombie appears, before Barbara runs, before the chaos begins.
It’s a simple shot, but it’s one of the most iconic images in horror history.
Inside the Cemetery — Gravestones and Quiet Paths
The third screenshot shows the interior road lined with gravestones and tall evergreens. This part of the cemetery still feels eerily similar today.
Visitors often say the atmosphere hasn’t changed much since the film was shot — especially on overcast or foggy days.
The Chapel: Lost, Rebuilt, and Saved Again
The original chapel seen in the movie was demolished in the early 1970s. The structure standing today (the chapel shown in the image) is a later chapel that fell into severe disrepair and was nearly demolished as well.
In 2014, fans of the film and local volunteers raised funds to restore the chapel, saving it from collapse. Today it stands as a tribute to both the cemetery’s history and the community that fought to preserve it.
The Nicholas Kramer Monument
This photo of the Kramer monument shows one of the most recognizable filming markers. Barbara clings to this gravestone during the first zombie attack. It’s still standing today, unchanged, and remains a popular stop for horror fans visiting the cemetery.
Local Ghost Lore: Fog, Shadows, and “Creatures”
Evans City Cemetery has its share of ghost stories — long before Romero filmed here, and long after.
Locals say that on foggy nights, figures sometimes move between the gravestones. Some claim they’re reenactors or fans recreating scenes from the movie. Others insist they’re something else entirely — shadows that don’t walk like people, shapes that vanish when approached, or silhouettes that appear only when the fog is thick enough to swallow the road.
Whether it’s imagination, mischief, or something paranormal, Evans City Cemetery has earned a reputation as one of Pennsylvania’s eeriest nighttime locations.
And given its place in horror history, maybe that’s fitting.
Why This Cemetery Matters
Evans City Cemetery isn’t just a filming location. It’s a piece of Pennsylvania history, a landmark of American cinema, and a place where local folklore still thrives.
FAQ: Evans City Cemetery – Night of the Living Dead Filming Location
Q: Was Evans City Cemetery really used in Night of the Living Dead? A: Yes. The opening scenes of the 1968 film were shot entirely at Evans City Cemetery in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
Q: What happened to the chapel seen in the movie? A: The original chapel was demolished in the early 1970s. The current chapel was restored in 2014 after a fan‑led preservation effort.
Q: Can visitors still see filming locations today? A: Yes. The Kramer monument and several grave markers from the film remain in place and are popular stops for horror fans.
Q: Is Evans City Cemetery haunted? A: Locals report strange sightings on foggy nights, including shadowy figures moving between gravestones. Whether reenactors or something paranormal, the cemetery has a long history of ghost lore.
Q: Is it legal to use screenshots from Night of the Living Dead? A: Yes. The film is public domain, so screenshots can be used freely for historical or educational purposes.