Our Story
A dream of opportunity drew settlers to Eastern Nebraska - like moths to a light. Uninhabited country - still a young territory - with rolling hills covered in thick prairie grass that rested chest high. Blood, sweat, and tears shaped the early Rose Hill community, as did triumphs, laughs, and everlasting familial friendships.
Prior to 1876, a small Swedish cemetery rested just north (about 1/2 mile) of the current cemetery site. The little gravesite sat atop a hill on the northern side of county road 16. In 1876, the community members of Rose Hill decided to move the cemetery to its present location - on the southeastern side of the intersection of county roads 16 and 19. They moved the cemetery, so it could be right next to the active church and school. Every single grave at the old site was moved to the present-day Rose Hill Cemetery site.
Originally, the cemetery was known as the Kirkley Cemetery, after a prominent community member; however, another prominent member, William Banks, who escaped the infamous Chicago Fire, suggested the cemetery be renamed Rose Hill. The name came about for two reasons; one, Banks was familiar with a Rose Hill Cemetery in his old town of Chicago and, two, there was an abundance of beautiful wild roses that littered the hillsides. Thus, in 1876, the first Rose Hill Board decided to name both their community and cemetery Rose Hill.
Since 1876, people have come and gone, but Rose Hill has remained - quiet, peaceful, and beautiful.
Early Rose Hill Changemakers
Without certain individuals, the little community of Rose Hill would be nothing. Instead, despite the removal of both the church and school, the cemetery and the memories made in the community remain - despite being decades later.
The first Rose Hill Board consisted of the following members: Samuel Bassett (Chairman), G. Hitchcock (Clerk), William Lamb (Trustee), J. Kirkley (Trustee), and William Banks (Trustee). On May 19, 1876, these men filed for the creation of the Rose Hill Cemetery Association. This began the process of graves being moved from the old Swedish cemetery, which was located on Gustav Kronberg's land. This task would be completed in 1884.
There were plenty of other leaders who left their mark on Rose Hill. If you wish to learn more about these individuals, select the "About" tab above.
