Our History
In 1859 a group of women, called the Ladies Social Gathering, took it upon themselves to establish a final resting place for the citizens of their community. When they had raised $22.16, on August 14, 1860, they made a down payment on 4 1/2 acres at $40 per acre.
Over the years there have been several additional acquisitions of land. Two hundred evergreens were planted in 1868. Many are still standing.
In 1918 the Gardener’s Cottage was built. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. Today it serves as the business office, where lots are sold and records kept.
Gardners Cottage, built 1918
Original fountain next to the cottage
In 1976, an Avenue of Flags and memorial plaques were placed in the cemetery by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.
A regular program of landscaping and maintenance is conducted. Flowers are planted annually, trees and bushes replaced, roads maintained, and monuments cleaned and restored. Retaining walls and fences are repaired or replaced as needed.
Union Cemetery has advanced a long way from the early days when it was literally chopped out of the wilderness by the men of the community and financed through the ingenuity and work of its women organizers.
Today the Ladies Social Gathering is very proud of its history and of the Union Cemetery. In recent years our income has NOT covered our expenses. We know that cemeteries in surrounding towns have been turned over to the respective governments due to lack of funds. We do not want this to happen. Please remember us when you are planning donations. Our hope is that the traditions and standards of the Union Cemetery will continue.