The first city cemetery was on the east bank of the river opposite 3rd Street. When the river started encroaching on the cemetery, the graves were removed and moved to the northeast corner of 7th Street and Western Avenue. This area proved to be too small and on October 8, 1851 ten acres was purchased bounded on the east by Grand Avenue and on the west by Western Avenue. The graves from 7th Street were moved to the new cemetery. Additional acreage was purchased and the present size is 14 acres.
