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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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OAK RIDGE CEMETERY
Its History and Improvements
H. W. Rokker, Printer & Binder
Springfield, ILL. - 1879

                                HISTORICAL
                                
              The grounds of this institution now comprise
            seventy-four acres. The first purchase of a tract
            of land outside of the city limits of Springfield,
            for burial purposes, was made in June, 1855, and in
            May, 1856, a second purchase was made, enlarging the
            area to twenty-eight and one-half acres. The site
            chosen was a most beautiful one. Situated about two
            miles north of the Capitol, with undulating surface
            and pleasing blending of hill and dale, interspersed
            with a natural growth of deciduous trees, the location
            was peculiarly fitted for the purposes of sepulture.
            Forest oaks of various species being the prevailing
            shade, the name of OAK RIDGE CEMETERY was, at the sug-
            gestion of Hon. John Cook, Mayor of the city, given
            to what has now become one of the most beautiful ceme-
            teries in the land. Previous to 1858 but little im-
            provement was made of the grounds, except to enclose
            them with a common post and board fence. On the 18th
            of April of that year, Mr. George Willis was appointed
            Sexton, by the City Council.
              Being under the exclusive control of the City Council,
            and its rules and regulations consequently liable to
            influences and changes not in accordance with the de-
            sires and feelings of lot owners, the Cemetery did not
            at once gain that public favor which was desirable and
            necessary to its proper maintainance and improvement.
            It was therefore deemed advisable by the Council to
            obtain such Charter amendments as would more speci-
            fically define the tenure of the lot owners. Such
            amendments were obtained from the Legislature in 1859.
              In April, 1860, under the Amended Charter, the first
            Board of Managers was chosen, as follows:
              Turner R. King, President
              James L. Lamb
              Gilbert S. Manning
              Benj. F. Fox
              Presco Wright, Secretary
            George Willis was appointed Sexton.
              On Thursday, the 24th of May, 1860, according to a
            resolution of the Board of Managers above named, the
            cemetery grounds, as originally laid out, were dedicated.
            The Mayor and members of the City Council, with a large
            concourse of citizens, participated in the imposing cere-
            monies of the occasion. The day was most auspicious, one
            of the bright and beautiful days of the early Spring - fit
            season for the solemn and impressive services which were
            to connect what is mortal in human life with the immortal
            life beyond. A procession was formed at the public square
            of the city, and under the direction of John S. Bradford,
            Esq., and Thomas J. Dennis, Esq., as marshals of he day,
            marched to the Cemetery, where the dedicatory services
            were held at three o'clock in the afternoon.
            
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