Oak Ridge Cemetery

Founded by Levi Nutting. Platted by R. H. L. Jewett on 10/28/1857 and surveyed by S. A. Faribault in July of1887, Oak Ridge Cemetery is one of

Rice County’s historic gems. 

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Families purchased plots dating back to

October 1857 when an entire plot (6 burial sites) went for $10. 

 

The first known burial in the cemetery was Thomas C RugglesJune6,1850 (buried in E78). There are quite a few burials without headstones or written records, probably pre-dating the incorporation of the cemetery.  Records were (and still are!) handwritten on index cards and in a large ledger. 

Some of Rice County’s earliest settlers were buried in Oak Ridge, including Civil and Spanish American War Veterans, senators and representatives, business leaders, farmers, “hobos”, paupers and many people who emigrated from other countries.