Sunset Hills in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Forest Hill Cemetery

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019

1. Forest Hill Cemetery Marker

Inscription. This land known as Forest Hill was purchased by the City of Madison in 1857 for $10,000 to be used as the City's burial site. Between 1859 and 1866, this became the location for reburial of bodies that were removed from the village cemetery once located at Orton Park. Orton Park officially became the city's first park in 1859.

In the late 1800's and early 1900's, this park became a popular Sunday destination for residents that would take a streetcar to the cemetery to have a picnic with their family members.

In even earlier times Native Americans used this high ground as a burial ground, evidenced by an effigy mound grouping where noble warriors are buried. This mound, in the shape of a goose, is located on the southeast side of the cemetery. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The entire cemetery is filled with a sense of history and a reminder of the families who have played a significant role in the area's development.

Erected by Oscar Rennebohm Foundation and the Madison Parks Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 43° 4.022′ N, 89° 25.783′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County.

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It is in Sunset Hills. It can be reached from Forest Hill Cemetery south of Speedway Road when traveling south. The marker is just inside the entrance to the Forest Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Speedway Road, Madison WI 53705, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Forest Hill Cemetery & Effigy Mound Group (a few steps from this marker); Forest Hill Soldiers' Lot (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Former Greenbush Cemetery Burials (approx. ¼ mile away); Aldo Leopold House (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Memory of Our Beloved Sons (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bradley-Sigma Phi House (approx. half a mile away); Hoyt Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Elliott House (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Rest (was about 800 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019

2. Forest Hill Cemetery Marker

Captain William Hogbin visiting his late wife's grave with his second wife in the background in 1915. A 1911 trolley in front of the Cemetery.

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019

3. Forest Hill Cemetery Marker

A 1910 open streetcar at the end of its route ending at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019

4. Forest Hill Cemetery Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2020, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 523 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 3, 2020, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.