Highland Park Cemetery

Highland Park Cemetery. (Old Park Cemetery). , Highland Park Cemetery is Hastings' oldest burial ground, established in 1873 on land secured from the Union Pacific Railroad. At the time, 7th Street was the northern boundary of the community. No lots were sold after 1886 when Parkview Cemetery was established, but burials continued in previously purchased plots. The last Highland Park interment occurred in 1947. The cemetery fell into disrepair for years, and many stones have been lost. Other graves at Highland were later moved to Parkview Cemetery. But it is believed that about 3300 people were buried here. Following World War I, thirty elm trees were planted in Highland Park as a memorial to the thirty Adams County men who lost their lives in the Great War. The cemetery also includes memorials to Oregon Trail emigrants and veterans of other wars. Beginning in 2008, the Highland Park Arboretum Committee, Hastings' Parks and Recreation, the Adams County Historical Society and numerous volunteer groups have worked together to enhance the cemetery.