THEY ARE PLACES of sorrow, of history, of art, of beauty. Of stories, too. They are cemeteries.
Decades ago, as a child, I feared cemeteries, thinking about the bodies buried in caskets beneath the ground. The unexpected death of my paternal grandfather when I was not quite eight shaped my thoughts then of graveyards. But my thinking and perspectives changed as I aged until I felt comfortable walking in a cemetery. I had accepted death.
Today, exploring cemeteries is an activity I enjoy. I appreciate all they hold. Oak Ridge Cemetery, set on rolling hills on Faribault’s northwest side just off Second Avenue NW/Minnesota State Highway 3, is among the countless graveyards I’ve walked.
It’s Faribault’s first cemetery, incorporated in 1857, five years after the town was founded. The death of his 26-year-old wife, Mary, on Christmas Day 1856 prompted Levi Nutting to lead founding of an official cemetery. Nutting was a man of prominence. As an early area settler, he helped shape his community, serving as mayor and Rice County commissioner. Nutting also held several state government offices, including that of a senator.
Levi and many other Nuttings lie buried beneath the soil at Oak Ridge among the oaks and spruce and maple. This place feels like a hilltop island of peacefulness. Not that it’s quiet here. But a sense of calm and serenity in this spot of remarkable natural beauty prevails.
History also infuses Oak Ridge, not only in names on gravestones, but also on informational plaques scattered throughout the grounds.
There are a whole lot of long ago dates inscribed in stone. The first known burial here was in 1850, before cemetery incorporation. Men who fought in the Civil and Spanish American Wars lie here. So do legislators, business leaders, farmers, paupers, immigrants and more, according to the Oak Ridge website.
“IN THEIR DEATH THEY WERE NOT DIVIDED” reads the message on the headstone of Rodney A. Mott and Mary Ripley Mott.
Hannah Jane Rockwell’s marker, installed through Oak Ridge’s Sponsor a Marker for an Unmarked Grave Program, simply lists her name, birth and death dates, and then the loving words, “Mother to 10.”
Jeremy J. Weber’s black tombstone, still shiny with newness, is surrounded by expressions of recent grief. The 34-year-old father of three died in 2021. A waterproof case includes a notebook for messages and memories. Words written therein are loving, heartbreaking.
Grief is undeniably here. I read that, see that, feel that. But I also feel the love. These were individuals with families who loved them and whom they loved. These were individuals who were valued personally and/or professionally. They were, above all, human beings who held a special place on this earth.
Cemeteries reveal all of this, if only we take the time to walk among the tombstones, aged and new. Inscriptions, art, names, dates, memorabilia and flowers placed graveside all tell stories. That is the beauty within the boundaries of a cemetery like Oak Ridge, which rises high above a city founded 171 years ago, the place where Levi Nutting moved with his family in 1855, a year later his young wife dead.
FYI: Oak Ridge accepts donations and welcomes volunteers to help with cemetery upkeep. Burial plots are for sale. And markers may be purchased for unmarked graves.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
so much beauty and history and so many stories to be found there. I have become someone who appreciates them as well
I’m glad you’ve come to discover what I have in cemeteries.
I recently had one of those full circle moments with history. I was watching an HGTV show that restores first generation homes up in Massachusetts. The one house restoration dates back to the Delano family. U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They talked about Ingalls and being a descendant of the Delano family. Her paternal ancestor settled in Lynn, Mass. Here comes the full circle. Ingalls also is a third cousin, once removed, of U.S. President and Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant. A few months back we sailed on the tall ship that Grant built for him and his wife. I just love history and learning and absorbing as much as I can. I even get my phone out to google for more information or look at maps, etc. Thanks for sharing – great post today! OMG – that pump house is beautiful and then the history at Oak Ridge. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Thank you for sharing this connection to Laura Ingalls. What fun it must have been to sail on that tall ship, especially given your love of history.
It was very cool to sail on a tall ship and one with history. I go in spurts with WWII, Civil War, etc. in my reading and viewing shows lately.
I understand the spurts. Continue to enjoy history. It’s important on so many levels.
I like cemeteries- have never found them too scary. When I still lived on the island I used to ride my bike a couple miles on summer evenings to the cemetery where my grandparents are buried. I stayed a few minutes talking to them before riding home. I miss that. Recently they’ve had some historic walking tours of local cemeteries around here but I haven’t been able to do any of them. Would enjoy if I ever can.
What a loving act, to bike to the cemetery and talk to your grandparents. I can understand why you would miss doing that.
Cemeteries are so interesting. Thanks for sharing the info on this one.
Have we told you? The church cemetery back in PA ,where Gary grew up, has 7 generations of his family buried there. That includes Richard, his brother of our generation.
I remember you telling me about the seven generations buried in a single cemetery. That is truly remarkable.
Beautiful architecture and markers.
They are. I have a lot more photos, so maybe I will need to do a second post on Oak Ridge.
I too love cemeteries. Old ones. Full of history. What a great walk through you have given us Audrey!
Thank you for appreciating this brief tour of Oak Ridge. I love that you love cemeteries, too.
I’ve been MIA, but have a few new posts of my own, I’m glad I checked on your blog today, as you featured one of my favorite things…cemeteries. This one is beautiful and I love the “informational plaques” , such a great idea. I also like the limestone pump house, so cool. Today I went on my own and visited my Paternal Grandparent graves in Henrytown MN, a short visit but as I am still alive and on this earth, I will remember them and visit their graves from time to time.
Such a loving thing to do, Jackie, to visit your loved ones’ graves.
I share your interest in cemeteries. I have always loved to explore them and marvel at how beautiful some of them are as final resting places. This one looks so peaceful.
You would love Oak Ridge, Beth Ann.