Liberty Cemeteries

Find a Grave 

The City of Liberty's GIS division has developed an online, interactive map that allows website visitors to search for deceased by last name or by year of death within the Fairview, New Hope and Mt. Memorial Cemeteries. You can also zoom in and hover over any headstone to view the name of the deceased as well as zoom into a location and print a location map. This map is updated on a monthly basis.

Fairview & New Hope Cemetery History

Fairview Cemetery was established in the mid 1800s and was so named because it overlooked what once were the community’s fairgrounds. Those fairgrounds were acquired by the City in 1901 and eventually became New Hope Cemetery.

Fairview is marked by a majestic stone arch at its entrance. The cemetery resonates with the history of the community from the early days of Liberty to today. If those who are interred in Fairview / New Hope cemeteries could talk, they could offer stories of business successes, intrigue, violence, failures and heroism. 

Col. Alexander Doniphan, one of the most prominent statesmen and military leaders in American history, is buried here. Want to learn more? Download this self guided walking tour about Alexander Doniphan. 

History of “The Old Graveyard” - Mt. Memorial Cemetery*

On July 5, 1836, the one and a half acre plot of land was bought by the trustees of the Town of Liberty for the purpose of a graveyard from Andrew Hixson and his wife Ann for the sum of $30. The term of the sale maintained that the land was to be used “for the purpose of a public burying ground.”

Although the graveyard was not officially deeded to Liberty until 1836, it had been in use as a burial ground well before that date. Cyrus Curtis owned a cabin at the location that is now the northeast corner of Wilson Street and College Place West, located about 300 yards from the site of the present day cemetery. The infant daughter of Curtis and his Native American wife is believed to be the first buried at this site in 1819.

In 1836, when the cemetery was officially established, Liberty’s population numbered just 700. The original town comprised 50 acres, about six-square-blocks, which was centered on the present day town square. The cemetery was located on the next hilltop to the east, a distance of about 0.5 mile and well outside the city limits.

Its location, apart from the town, seems to follow the early nineteenth century trend to establish the common burial ground away from populated areas. Prior to this time, the deceased were interred in church yards or in family plots on the homestead. However, due to space constraints and a growing awareness of public health hazards, burial customs began to change in the early 1800s.

New “rural” cemeteries were park-like areas; pleasant places for the living to visit their lost loved ones. Locations were selected for their natural beauty and proximity to heaven. Mt. Memorial meets the criteria for a rural cemetery, chosen for its peaceful beauty, uninterrupted vistas in all directions and a secluded hilltop spot where the dead could be closer to God. The location was likely thought to be ideal for a final resting place.

The cemetery was not officially named until 1916. It was known as the “Old Graveyard” or the “Old Burying Ground." Although several names were proposed, including Hillcrest in 1915, Gethsemane and Forest Hill, it wasn't until October 1916 the current name of Mt. Memorial was selected via an election by the lot owners.

*Information compiled from the City of Liberty's application for Mt. Memorial to the National Register of Historic Places registry.

Mt. Memorial's Notables

Connections to the Civil War

On September 17, 1861, the Battle of Blue Mills Landing took place just south of Liberty, near the Missouri River. Union forces unsuccessfully attempted to prevent pro-Confederate Missouri State Guards from northern Missouri from crossing the river near the confluence with the Blue River to reinforce Sterling Price at Lexington. The fighting at Blue Mills Landing lasted for an hour and resulted in a total of 126 casualties. The Union forces suffered 56 casualties and the Missouri State Guard lost 70. Union troops set up a hospital in Jewell Hall on the campus of William Jewell College and buried their dead in the adjacent Mt. Memorial cemetery. Accounts vary, but a survey compiled in 1933 lists six Civil War veterans and 25 soldiers killed in the battle of Blue Mills Landing who were buried in the southwest corner of the cemetery.

In the summer of 1862, Union troops again occupied the hilltop around the cemetery. The 5th Cavalry of the Missouri State Militia established its headquarters and barracks at Jewell Hall. A series of shallow rifle pits was dug around the brow of the hill, within 20-yards of the cemetery. The soldiers used the soft white rock tombstones for target practice during the time the trenches were in use, April to September 1862. Evidence of target practice is visible on several of the stones in the southwest corner.

In 1912, the remains of 27 Civil War soldiers were moved to Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery at the request of family members. The remains of at least six soldiers are known to still be in Mt. Memorial, and two or three are marked with gravestones. There is mention in a cemetery census compiled in 1962 that there are a number of unmarked Civil War graves in the northeast corner of the cemetery, but these have not been confirmed.

Cemetery Maintenance Funds

A Perpetual Care Program has been established to care for the cemeteries. Under this program, 25% of the proceeds from the sale of each lot, and 50% of the proceeds for the sale of each columbarium space, is placed into a trust fund. Also placed in that fund are private donations received specifically for the cemeteries. The interest earned from this fund is then used to cover maintenance expenses.

Make A Donation

Donations of any amount are accepted for the cemetery and are tax-deductible. Your donation to the cemetery fund will be used for maintenance and projects in Liberty's three Cemeteries (Fairview, New Hope and Mt. Memorial).

When you click the donation button above, you will be re-directed to the online donation page where you can designate the program from the drop down menu where you would like your donation to benefit. Select "Cemetery" from the list. 

You may also submit a cash or check donation in by mail to the Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Road, Liberty, MO 64068.

Memorial Program

Many donors choose to donate to the Cemetery Fund, which allows their gift to be used where it is most needed. However, if you wish to specify your donation to other cemetery donation programs please choose from our other options: 

• Memorial Benches: Cemetery benches provide individuals an opportunity to rest and reflect
  
• Memorial Trees: Trees serve as a living tribute to friends and family both living and deceased. The newly-planted trees provide a sense of comfort for family and a place of quiet reflection for the community as a whole.

For more information, visit the Memorial Program web page, or call Tom Garland at 816.439.4384 or via email.