ORIGIN OF THE CEMETERY
In the late 1800s, the growth of Springfield eastward presented a need for an additional Cemetery in this area. In response, a group of local businessmen formed the Oak Grove Cemetery Association, and established Oak Grove Cemetery in 1881. They were:
- Daniel B. Wesson
- I. M. Thompson
- Justin Sackett
- N. C. Newell
- O. H. Greenleaf
- John Olmsted
- Dexter Smith
In 1884, the Bay Street Archway & gates, as well as the Brownstone Chapel and Tomb, were constructed. Civil War Monuments were added in 1890 in our Veteran section.
INTO THE 1900s
Oak Grove continued to grow and expand into the new century. In 1943 with new regulations, the Cemetery required permanent containers for burials. New storm drains were added in 1955, and in 1956 the paving of the Cemetery’s roads began. Fencing was placed around the grounds in 1957, and the rear northwest corner was developed in 1958.
Our prominent flagpole was erected in 1965, and our current Administration Office located just inside the Bay Street gate was built in 1966. Also appearing that year was the St. George Altar, located in the Greek section by Tapley Street. And in 1970, our new Maintenance Building was constructed.
THE 1980s AND BEYOND
The cemetery continued to grow, with the rear middle sections being developed in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. In 1993, the fence along Tapley Street needed replacing, and an expanded Tapley Street entrance (including an attractive brownstone facade) was established to support the growing number of families using that entrance as the Tapley Street side of the Cemetery was further developed.
In the later 1990s, “Section W” was developed to house cremation burials, and in 1997 a Gazebo was erected. This building is not only a focal point in the Cemetery, but also serves as a location for services to be held for cremation burials, as well as services for babies that are interred in the sections across the road. In 1998, the St. Peter & Paul monument was erected in the Russian section, and a second Gazebo was built in 1999.
Also in 1999, a lovely new Niche Garden was dedicated in June for the above-ground burials of cremated remains. There are 102 niches on each side of the Chapel, with a granite face covering every 4 units, and bronze plaques are placed on the wall for each interment.
In 2001, a new and bigger Maintenance Building was needed to house new, more modern groundskeeping equipment. This equipment has been used to enable the constant growth of Oak Grove, with new sections and roads being developed, and the ongoing maintenance of the existing grounds.
ANNEXING ST. JOSEPH’S CEMETERY
In 2011, nearby St. Joseph’s cemetery was in need of assistance with operational management and administration, and engaged Oak Grove. An agreement was established between the two Boards of Directors, and in 2012 St. Joseph’s was brought under the Oak Grove umbrella, and re-named as the “Oak Grove Cemetery, Cottage Street Annex.”
SOME NOTABLE NAMES
A few prominent Springfield citizens and other well-known individuals buried at Oak Grove include Daniel B. Wesson, and several ancestors of Theodore Geisel (also known as Dr. Seuss). Also buried in the cemetery are Harry H. “Bucky” Lew, the first black professional basketball player, and child actress Shirley Jean Measures, who played the sad-eyed blonde girl in the early “Our Gang” comedies.
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