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The Ottawa Avenue Cemetery was originally developed under four different branches and its earliest records date back to 1847, only one year before the opening of the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal and at a time when the newly formed settlement of Ottawa was becoming a city.
Many of the great men and women, who contributed to Ottawa’s rich history, are now at rest in the Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
A life-size bronze statue of a uniformed Boy Scout stands overlooking the W.D. Boyce family plot commemorating the famous Boy Scouts of America founder.
William Reddick, an Illinois State Senator and one of Ottawa’s most famous philanthropists, John Hossack a famous abolitionist, men young and old who perished in the Civil War, and others who left their indelible mark on family, friends and our great city, all lie at rest in the Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
Generations of families have been attracted to the beauty, tranquility, and historic importance of the Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
Starting with four "blocks" in 1847 four different additions have increased the cemetery size to what it is today. The four original blocks and the first addition are what is called Ottawa Cemetery; the second part is the Ford Addition, the third the St. Francis Addition, and the final area is the Bushnell Addition.
Finding graves is relatively easy, Each section of the cemetery is coded as follows.
Ottawa Cemetery (along with the four original blocks): All burial plots start with the letters "OT" followed by the Lot Number then the Section Number. On the map be sure to find the Section Number first, which is usually the number after the dash symbol, then the Lot Number. Example: OT, 15-3. Note that there are some lots that have "1/2" in them.
Ford Addition: All burial plots start with the letters "FO" followed by the Lot Number then the Section Number. On the map be sure to find the Section Number first, which is usually the number after the dash symbol, then the Lot Number. Example: FO, 2-10, Grave 2 Note that some lots have "1/2" in them
St. Francis Addition: So far all of these burials start with the letters "BU" followed by the Section Number and then the Lot Number. Note that these are both numbers whereas the Bushnell Addition has a Lot Number and a Section Letter. The part that matters is the Lot Number as each Lot Number is used only once in the entire St. Francis Addition. All Lot Numbers are on the cemetery map. Example: BU, 40.51
Bushnell Addition. All burial plots start with the letters "BU" followed by the Lot Number and then a Section Letter (not a number). On the map be sure to find the Section Letter first and then the Lot Number. Example: BU, 5G
Mausoleum: Crypts in the mausoleum are coded "BU, MM," and then a number. The mausoleum is normally locked. Be sure to make arrangement with the cemetery if you need to see a burial crypt there.
Getting around in the cemetery is very easy as there are many roads so you never have to walk very far to visit a grave.
Address:
1601 Ottawa Avenue
Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois
61350
The Ottawa Avenue Cemetery is located in Ottawa, Illinois. It was founded as the Ottawa Cemetery Association in 1847 by George H. Norris and was incorporated in 1865.
Notable Burials:
- William D. Boyce (1858–1929), social reformer and founder of the Boy Scouts of America
- William Cullen (1826–1914), US Congressman
- Douglas Hapeman (1839–1905), Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient
- George Marsh (1836–1915) Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient
Billion Graves