Togus National Cemetery, Military cemetery in Kennebec County, United States.
Togus National Cemetery is a burial ground occupying 31 acres within the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center grounds in Chelsea, Maine. The site contains two separate sections that served the facility at different periods.
President Lincoln established this facility in 1865 as part of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the first of its kind in the nation. The West section closed in 1936, while the East section stopped accepting burials in 1961.
The name comes from the Algonquian word Worromontogus, which referred to mineral water springs that once flowed on this land. This ancient connection to natural healing waters shaped how the place was viewed by settlers.
The site is located within an active medical center, so visitor access may be limited to certain areas or times. It is wise to check ahead about current visiting policies before planning your visit.
Before serving veterans, this property operated as the Togus Springs resort, featuring a hotel and horse racing track. This transformation from leisure destination to solemn memorial reflects a major shift in the land's purpose.
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