Prairie Home Cemetery History-page 1

Prairie Home Cemetery has a rich history in the Waukesha, WI region dating back to the mid 1800's. The first time the Prairie Home Cemetery land had been officially used for burial purposes was in 1849. Although there has been evidence to suggest that burials were done as early as 1841 and 1835.
Nathaniel Walton sold the first three-acre parcel to the village in 1864. Then a five-acre section was added. These eight acres constitute Prairie Home’s Old Section. Presently, Prairie Home covers approximately 66 acres, with room for another 20,000 interments.
From 1849 until 1896, the Town Board of Waukesha supervised the cemetery. When the town became a city in 1896, the mayor appointed a three-person commission to control its operation. Now there is a six member commission, 2 of which are alder persons.
Lots were given free to charge to city residents until 1915 when upkeep of the cemetery proved such a municipal burden that the city was required to institute a fee, 75% of which was set aside to cover “perpetual care.”
In 2008, the cemetery began receiving tax dollars to fund operations, due to the state of the economy. Other funds come through the sales of property, interments, and chapel rentals. It also receives dividends, interest and appreciation from its perpetual care endowment fund and dividends and interest from its

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