Alton National Cemetery, United States National Cemetery located in the city of Alton, in Madison County, Illinois
Alton National Cemetery is a small burial ground in Alton with neat rows of grave markers and flat stones set into well-maintained grass. The simple layout with minimal trees focuses attention on the graves and creates a clear, respectful space for visitors to walk through.
The cemetery was founded in 1870 and started as part of Alton City Cemetery before becoming dedicated to veterans. The federal government took it over officially in 1940 after local residents protested to keep the graves where they were.
The cemetery holds the names of veterans from different periods of American military service. Walking through, visitors connect with the stories of those who served and can pause at individual graves to reflect on their sacrifice.
The grounds are level and easy to walk through, making it accessible for visitors of all abilities. It is maintained by staff from Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri to keep the space respectful and clean.
The site was originally part of a city cemetery, but the community resisted moving graves to a distant location. This local opposition led the federal government to take it over in place in 1940 rather than relocate the remains.
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