By Jan Mangers, West Aurora Cemetery trustee, president
The West Aurora Cemetery has been in existence since 1834. Originally known as the West Aurora Burying Ground, it was donated to the city government of Aurora by Clark and Hannah Wilder in 1848. They lived to see their son, William Wallace Wilder, buried there. A Civil War veteran, his death was caused by the conditions he endured during detention in the notorious Confederate Andersonville Prison, in Andersonville, Ga..
Since its creation as a public cemetery, open to all, a diverse group of more than 3,900 individuals have been buried there. They include many Aurora pioneers, such as Theodore Lake, Clark Wilder, Rufus Root, Abel Downer, William Plum, and William Tanner, all of whom have streets in Aurora named after them. Others include Benjamin and Myron Hall who served respectively as the town’s first mayor and first newspaper owner; more than 160 Civil War veterans, including African Americans; and veterans who served in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, Korean and Vietnam wars. A 1959 article indicated one Revolutionary War veteran is buried there.
See the Friends of West Aurora Cemetery Facebook page for ongoing historic posts.
There was a clean-up of the Cemetery Sunday, Oct. 25, which included volunteer Boy Scout Troop 11. (See the photo in The Voice in the November 5 issue.
In addition to the historical figures buried in the Cemetery, there are many artistically- and architecturally-significant features such as tomb markers and the chapel constructed in 1909 and attributed to Eugene Malmer, a prominent architect (buried at the Cemetery). Another early architectural feature is the wrought iron fence and lichgate bordering the east side of the Cemetery and defining space reserved for the deceased.
In 1926, $50,000.00 was raised for the perpetual care and upkeep of the Cemetery grounds. In order to better manage the property, the West Aurora Cemetery Association was formed, to take over the ownership from the city government of Aurora. A non-profit organization, the Association has dutifully maintained the Cemetery for more than 90 years.
However, similar to many historical institutions over the past decade, the Association has faced unprecedented economic hardship.
Factors include the poor returns from its Trust; numerous trees more than 100 years old that have died compounded by trees killed by the ash borer; several trees in danger of falling and destroying significant burial markers; and code violations from damaged fences and retaining wall, the latter was created by necessity when Route 31 was widened. Vice-president Maureen Granger stated that “under the terms of the trust, only the interest can be used, which basically covers mowing the grass and insurance.”
To address these concerns, the Association is undertaking a fundraising campaign, and tax-deductible donations can be made to the West Aurora Cemetery Association, PO Box 9, North Aurora, IL, 60542.
The West Aurora Cemetery is a significant resource to Aurora as a tangible link to its past. It is a designated City Landmark, and determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. It is an example of an early municipal cemetery type, representative of the movement to remove burial grounds from church yards to property on a settlement fringes. It meets the National Register criteria for the architecture of its chapel and art of grave- markers. It is worthy of preservation, and contributions and volunteer support are truly appreciated!