Wisconsin Child Center Cemetery

Wisconsin Child Center Cemetery. . On the 223 acres which surround this peaceful place, many hundreds of children whose young lives were touched by tragedy and misfortune lived here at the Wisconsin Child Center, formerly known as the State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children. From 1886 to 1976, the numerous buildings and playgrounds provided the temporary homes for these many generations of children. , Some were orphaned, while others were born to families without resources to care for them. Some spent their entire childhood here, while others lived here only briefly. This cemetery is the final resting place for 305 children who were unclaimed at their deaths, many of whom passed away during epidemics of influenza, scarlet fever, diphtheria and polio in the days before vaccines were available. In keeping with the custom of the time, their graves were identified only by number. Yet the memory of these precious children lives on and in that loving spirit they are now given their names for all time. , May God bless these children , and give them eternal peace. , June Laxton.