Abilene History

The Abilene Cemetery had its beginning during the days of the big cattle drives around the year of 1865. It was located where the present-day middle school is located.

In 1865 it was moved to a new location called "Up on the Hill". This location was just across the road to the present-day location. All remains were removed and re-interred on the hill. On November 2, 1870, the famous early day Abilene Marshal, Tom Smith, was buried "On the Hill" in a plot on the acreage then owned by T.O. Henry. The acreage was formally acquired two years later for the present-day cemetery. The first tract consisted of 40 acres and was acquired in November of 1872 for a price of $1,200. Since that time more land was acquired making it approximately 63 acres today.

During the early days, the cemetery was operated by the City of Abilene. In 1910 the City Hall burned, and all the cemetery records were destroyed. For a time after that the cemetery was ill kept and, with the loss of records, little knowledge or interest was shown and the cemetery ran into financial difficulties. It was at this time R.M. White, a banker, and other civic leaders met with city commissioners and from these meetings the Abilene Cemetery Association was opened on October 17, 1910.

Abilene Cemetery District One

• 502 North w 21st Street
• Abilene, KS 67410
• Phone: (785) 263-4256