Near Blair in Washington County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cuming City Cemetery and Nature Preserve
Photographed by Michael James, May 18, 2008
1. Cuming City Cemetery and Nature Preserve Marker
Traditionally known as the Cuming City Cemetery, this eleven-acre tract of land was set aside in 1976 primarily as a preserve for native vegetation. Never plowed, this prairie looks much like it did to the Indians and to the first white men who settled Nebraska in the 1850's. Grasses such as big and little bluestem, Indian Grass, and side-oats grama still grow here. Now owned by the Dana College, the site was acquired with the assistance of The Nature Conservancy and the Cuming City Cemetery Association.
Part of this plot is reserved as a burial ground for the descendants of Lewis M. Kline, pioneer newspaperman who helped found Cuming City in 1855. By 1857 the town boasted 53 homes, 3 stores, and 3 hotels. It disappeared in the 1870's, when most of its citizens moved to Blair on the new railroad. The main north-south street of the old town site of Cuming City is now U.S. Highway 73, 1Ό miles southeast of here. The Kline family, which had its first burial here in 1857, donated the acreage to Cuming City for a cemetery. Many of those buried here were later removed to the Blair Cemetery, where maintenance is provided.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.
Location. 41° 35.333′ N, 96° 10.407′ W. Marker is near Blair, Nebraska, in Washington County. It is on County Road 14 half a mile west of U.S. 75, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blair NE 68008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in Greater Omaha. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Blair Depot 1880 (approx. 3½
Photographed by Michael James, May 18, 2008
2. Cuming City Cemetery Gate
The only gate to the cemetery and nature preserve, it is kept locked. There is a small step ladder to the left of the gate that allows foot traffic to enter the area.
Photographed by Keith R Tookey
3. Cuming City Cemetery Warrantee Deed
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2008, by Michael James of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. This page has been viewed 2,278 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 19, 2008, by Michael James of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. 3. submitted on July 11, 2012, by Keith R Tookey of Washington, Illinois. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
