Grand Island Nebraska

West of Grand Island a private venture started with 20 acres of land on the south side of Stolley Park Road, the Thummel-Platt Cemetery.  In 1894 the Grand Island Independent ‘In conversation with Judge Platt this morning regarding the cemetery west of the city, we learned that about 1,450 interments had been made there since it was platted. The first ten acres was laid out in lots in 1872.” 

The Grand Island City Council in May of 1897 approved a “New Cemetery” north of Stolley Park Road… The city also purchased the Thummel- Platt Cemetery from Mr. Platt,  now the sole owner, for $2,000.00.   The Grand Island Independent (January 7, 1897) noted that they had “advocated the purchase of the cemetery, believing that the people demanded a better condition of things…The city can take better care of the property, and much more economically than a private corporation…the public will have someone to look to for the enforcement of such regulations and restrictions….protected against vandalism which has been altogether too frequent.”

Sarah Shoemaker has the distinction of the oldest marker dated July 6, 1863. The City Cemetery eventually also encompassed the GAR-Lyon Post Cemetery, which is in the southwest corner consisting of 100 plus gravesites.  It is important to note that the GI City Cemetery has approximately 26,000-recorded burials but there are many not recorded in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  It appears that good records of plot sales were kept in the early days but not necessarily burials.  NOTE – each Memorial Day weekend the Hall County Historical Society offers guided tours of the Grand Island Cemetery.  Contact the Superintendent at 308-385-5359 or cemetery@grand-island.com.

Source the city of Grand Island, Grand Island Cemetery.

Located at 3168 West Stolley Park Road (intersection of Stolley Park & Webb Roads).