As former Historic Preservation Coordinator Sharon Ferraro has said, “One of the best and most accessible places to learn the history of a community is to walk around the earliest cemetery.”

Mountain Home Cemetery, located in the West Douglas Neighborhood of Kalamazoo, is a historic burial ground that reflects the city’s rich history. Established in 1849, it was initially a private cemetery, becoming public in 1940 when it was purchased by the City of Kalamazoo. The cemetery has beauty and character in abundance, from its gently rolling landscape to the variety of monuments located within its grounds.

The history of Kalamazoo is woven into the landscape of the cemetery, where the stories of its past residents are etched into the monuments and gravesites that line its winding roads. It is the final resting place of hundreds of families that helped shape Kalamazoo, including the Upjohns, Fetzers and Ransoms. If you compare the names of city streets to the names within the cemetery, you find it not only rich in character, but also rich in history.

The Irving S. Gilmore Foundation has graciously supported infrastructure improvements in the cemetery, preserving the rich history. This financial assistance enabled the restoration of deteriorated roadways and failing storm drainage systems, as well as repairs to retaining walls. These crucial improvements were vital for maintaining the resting place of numerous early community leaders, ensuring that Kalamazoo’s history remains intact for future generations.

For more information, visit www.kalamazoocity.org/community/cemeteries/mountain-home-cemetery