LINWOOD CEMETERY

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The entrance to Linwood prior to the construction of the Eighmey gates. Image courtesy: Joe Jacobsmeier

Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque

LINWOOD CEMETERY. The first rural city-owned cemetery in the Midwest. In 1833 the first cemetery for the city of Dubuque was located in what is now called JACKSON PARK. (1) At the time, the site was called the City Cemetery. As a result of the survey of 1836, it was discovered that burials were being made in what would be the right-of-way of Main, 15th, 16th, and Iowa STREETS. (2) The graveyard was surveyed in 1852 with proper lines established and graves in the right-of-ways removed. (3)

As the community grew, residents in the area did not like the cemetery near their homes and the site was quickly becoming too small. City planners also wished to extend Iowa Street to 17th Street. In 1851 the city condemned the cemetery and would not allow more graves to be dug. (4) In 1851 ten areas in a site called Cherry Hill northeast of the city were purchased. In 1853 another ten acres adjoining the property were given by Lucius Hart LANGWORTHY. (5)

The cemetery at Dubuque consisted of twenty acres, about one-half of which was laid out into lots. It was not well drained, because a circular tract in the middle was lower than the surroundings. It was thus thought best to secure another 20-acre tract lying immediately west and contiguous to the old yard. (6) It was arranged that 70 per cent of the proceeds of the sale of lots should be paid to the owner of the land, and the other 30 per cent go to the treasury to be used in laying out the ground, fencing it, etc. The cemetery then consisted of forty acres in a regular square, beautifully situated and commanding a view both of the Mississippi and the city. The price of the lots was fixed at sums varying from $5 to $25 each. About four acres were set apart for a potter's field. (7) The cemetery was named "Linwood" by the city council. (8)

In April 1865, the process of reinterring sixty graves from Jackson Square began with most of the work done in 1867. (9) Although technically under the care of the City, Linwood was a scene of disorganization. There were no carriage or footpaths.

The sad state of affairs at the city cemetery led nineteen prominent citizens to form the Linwood Cemetery Association on August 28, 1875. (10) Shares of stock were sold with one hundred people raising $100,000. According to the articles of incorporation, the investors were to receive 6% on their investment with surplus funds raised from the sale of lots going for maintenance of the property. (11) This group called for a citywide vote in October 1875, to determine whether they should take over the care of the grounds. The City by a vote of 697 to 308 was removed from the cemetery business. (12)

The home was constructed for the use of the caretaker of Linwood Cemetery.

By 1907 the cemetery grounds expanded to 147 acres, and adult graves (lined in brick) sold for fifteen dollars. Previously graves had been priced by length and were eight to twenty dollars. Grass clipping cost two cents, and water hydrants for the use of the lot owner were available at two dollars.

Originally Linwood was known as the Protestant Cemetery. Today, with over sixty thousand persons buried there, the cemetery serves the needs of all faiths.

Linwood is unique because the city's CIVIL WAR Soldiers' Monument, dedicated on November 5,1893, after twelve years of fund-raising, stands in the cemetery instead of the town square where most cities placed such a monument. Another memorial is the elaborate gateway at the entrance to the cemetery. Dedicated on May 30, 1948, the gateway was constructed through the bequest of Mrs. Augusta Eighteen Clapp in memory of her father, Charles H. EIGHMEY, former president of the FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE.

The 1970s were a time of increased change for Linwood. As it celebrated its 100th anniversary, Linwood became a member of the National Association of Cemeteries, the governing body of all cemeteries across the United States. It also joined the National Lot Exchange. This allowed people who owned a lot in Linwood to transfer ownership to another cemetery if they moved. Linwood also became a complete service cemetery offering for sale monuments, markers, and benches. A new Mausoleum Lawn Crypt Garden was completed with two hundred crypts and a second phase begun. A new Veteran's Field of Honor was opened honoring all veterans with space given free. Linwood also erected a 100 foot flag pole, donated by the Egelhof-Casper Funeral Home at the entrance to the cemetery. In 1979 Linwood began its Avenue of Flags beginning at the entrance to the cemetery consisting of twenty-five flags. By 1980 this number had grown to 130 flags. These flags were flown during Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the Fourth of July.

Among the estimated fifty thousand people buried in Linwood are John Francis RAGUE, David B. HENDERSON, John Taylor ADAMS, Stephen HEMPSTEAD, George W. HEALEY, William Boyd ALLISON, and Mathias HAM.

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Source:

1. Kruse, Len. "My Old Dubuque," Dubuque, Iowa: Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, 2000, p. 63

2. Ibid., p. 64

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-10-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml

6. Ibid, p. 17

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

9. Kruse, Len. p. 64

10. Ibid.

11. Ibid.

12. Ibid.