Oldest Ancient Cemetery In Minnesota, Iowa, And South Dakota

I've always been fascinated by cemeteries. My guess is that so much history exists amongst the tombstones.

I am especially intrigued by the little rural graveyards across South Dakota, Minnesota, & Iowa.

South Dakota became a state in 1889, but there were many burial grounds that existed across the plains long before that.

I got to thinking about where are some of the first established cemeteries in the Midwest and throughout the United States.

According to Readers Digest the oldest established cemetery in South Dakota is Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood.

I've toured Mount Moriah which is the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and rumored girlfriend Calamity Jane.

You'll also find Seth Bullock and Sol Star buried there.

Before Seth Bullock became the first sheriff of Deadwood he opened a hardware store with Sol Star to provide tools for the arriving gold miners.

You can find Minnesota's oldest established cemetery in St. Paul.

Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul was established in 1853. At the time a standard plot sold for $3.15.

Iowa's oldest cemetery is in Dubuque and dates back to the 1830s.

The 3rd Street Cemetery is known as "Kelly's Bluff Cemetery", "The Old Catholic Cemetery" and "St. Raphael's Cemetery". 

The 3rd Street Cemetery had been forgotten until July 2007 when a man walking his dog discovered some human bones.

The University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist Burial Program was contacted to investigate.

You can see a full list of the Oldest Cemetery In Every State from Readers Digest.