Mt. Vernon Oakwood Cemetery
Founded 1875
Established 1883
Mt. Vernon Oakwood Cemetery
Founded 1875
Established 1883
About Us
Beginnings
On Oct, 7, 1875 an infant, (Frank W. Watson) was buried at night on land owned by Samuel H. Watson and Van Wilbanks, becoming the first burial of what would become Oakwood Cemetery. The land on the north side of Broadway and west of what would become 22nd St., had earlier been offered to the City of Mt. Vernon for a cemetery as there was none within the city at that time. The offer was declined with the property being outside the city limits at that time. Eventually the city recognized the cemetery as such and it was deeded on July 26, 1883, marking the official establishment of Oakwood Cemetery.
About Us
History
The first platted section of the cemetery contained 20 acres and included a farm house in which the first sexton lived. In the 1920's the farm house burned and all the records were lost. A new machine shed was built with a desk in the corner and a full time sexton hired to maintain the cemetery, and dig the graves (by hand at the time.) Today the sexton's job has remained much the same but graves are now excavated and the records are kept in fireproof cabinets in our new office located at 2216 Broadway.
Veterans Memorial Circle
Also in the 1920's two cemetery directors, who also served on the board of Third National Bank, who were building a new bank at the time, obtained and moved one of the marble columns from the front of the old bank to the cemetery. They thought it could be a fitting focal point for a new memorial to veterans of all the wars, and thus started the Veterans Memorial Circle. In the 1980's a bronze eagle was placed atop the monument and curbing, lighting and flag poles, flying the American, the State and the POW-MIA flags were installed and a replica Civil War 6 pounder cannon was acquired.
Funerals
Today many veterans and officers from the Civil War thru today's conflicts have been buried at Oakwood. From two Civil War generals to the 29th Governor of Illinois, among the more than 11,000 burials at Oakwood Cemetery are persons that have helped shape the history of Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, and the State of Illinois. Since the first burial in 1875 until today Oakwood Cemetery exists for those desiring a peaceful final resting place and for those who survive a tranquil place of memorial. We hope you will take the time to drive through the cemetery and enrich yourself with some of the history at Oakwood Cemetery.
Selection
Traditional
Honor and Respect
Honor and Respect
Today the cemetery consists of over 58 acres of gravesite and newly developed sections. Offering a selection of gravesites for individuals or family plots.
Honor and Respect
Honor and Respect
Honor and Respect
The choice of a gravesite is something personal and different for all individuals. When you are ready to make that choice we would be pleased to help you with that decision and to honor and respect the memory of yourself and your loved ones when that time has come.
Columbarium
Honor and Respect
Columbarium
In addition to traditional burial, Oakwood Cemetery is pleased to be able to offer internment in our columbarium that was erected on the southeast side of the cemetery in 2007.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to help meet our goals and improve conditions. 100 percent of your generous donation will go to fund the continuing mission of service to the cemetery, and to those who have gone before us.
Mt. Vernon Oakwood Cemetery Asso.is a not for profit 501c13 tax-exempt organization
points of note
Gravesites
* Numbers correspond with location on section map shown in red.
Section Map-Points of Note
Points of Note
Red & Blue numbers correspond to points of note on above list.