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A city's history is most often reflected in its cemeteries. The ground now known as Oak Grove Cemetery was purchased on June 6, 1854, by George A. Coe, who organized a company known as Oak Grove Cemetery Association, for the purpose of platting a cemetery and selling lots there for burial purposes. On July 11, 1855, the Village (now City) of Coldwater purchased the property rights and title of the company, and it has since remained the property of the City of Coldwater.
When more ground was needed, ninety-five acres was purchased known as the First Addition and was platted in 1873 and is located north of US-12. The balance, or Second Addition, is located south of US-12. Oak Grove Cemetery is actually two distinct properties separated by U.S. 12 at the western boundary of the city. The cemeteries stand high above the surrounding landscape overlooking the Messenger/Hodunk chain of lakes.
Buffered by the lakes below, each cemetery is serviced by a single entrance thus accentuating the beauty and serenity of the sacred place for the repose for the dead. The attractiveness of the grounds is fittingly accentuated in the spring as though anticipating the annual Memorial Day celebration in memory of Coldwater's many veterans and fallen heroes.
Standing proudly as sentinels to the south cemetery entrance is the parade of flags, with each flag memorializing wars that were fought to preserve freedom for all Americans. The city's historic memorial chapel is located on the south cemetery grounds and continues in active use.
The south cemetery grounds include the burial place of Cyrus Luce, Michigan's 21st governor and namesake of a county in Upper Michigan. The city's first lady mayor, Louise Wallace, is buried in the south cemetery.
The care and management of the cemetery was under the Board of Cemetery Trustees from 1897 until 1957. In February, 1957, the responsibilities of the board were expanded to include the care and management of the street trees and parks and its name was changed to the Board of Cemeteries and Parks. This board remained in control until July 1, 1961. At that time, because of the new City Charter, the management of the cemetery was placed under the Director of Cemeteries and Parks and subject to the control of the City Manager. This type of organization was in effect until July of 1985, when a Department of Municipal Services was formed by the City Council. This department includes the cemeteries, parks, forestry and street divisions under a department head known as Director and is subject to the control of the City Manager.
It is the objective of the City to sustain Oak Grove Cemetery as a beautiful, quiet place, sacredly devoted to the interment and repose of the dead. It was with that in mind, these rules and regulations, now ordinance, was adopted in order to achieve this objective.
For the benefit and protection of the Burial Rights’ Holders collectively, it is necessary for the cemetery to enact certain general rules and to exercise reasonable control over individual lots. Not all people are blessed with a sense for the fitness of things and the rights of others. This ordinance permanently safeguards the Burial Rights’ Holders from detracting features in the cemetery. Without such ordinance there would be mistakes and abuses. Anything that would mar the general beauty and harmony of the cemetery must be avoided.
This cemetery is located on West Chicago Street, Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan.