NOLAND CEMETERY
Historical Background
The origins of the cemetery are only handed down via oral history. The story shared is that in 1840 a group of settlers passing through was struck by illness. With no permanent settlement of their own, Nicholas Noland donated some property to be used as a cemetery for them to bury their dead. The large unmarked section of the cemetery is presumably where these burials are located, since they would likely not have placed expensive, permanent markers in those circumstances. Without being able to be certain where all the graves lie, all but one section of the cemetery is permanently closed to any burials or digging. (That section of burial plots was purchased in the 1920s and is held in a private family trust.)
​
Regardless of the exact beginning, we know that the oldest identifiable grave marker still standing is that of Mathias Fickle Sr., who died in 1842.
​
In 1867, when burials had been taking place for over two decades, Nicholas Noland formally transferred the cemetery land to a trust, with three trustees appointed: George W. Noland, Nicholas's nephew by his brother Joshua; James Garges, husband of Nicholas's daughter Miriam; and Mathias F. Noland, Nicholas's grandson via his son John Noland and wife Zilpha (Garges). A copy of the document establishing this trust can be found on the Historical Documents page.
The Noland Cemetery Group, Inc.
After Mathias Noland passed away in 1932, none of the original trustees remained, and no clear succession had evidently been established. Mowing of the cemetery was taken up by volunteers at various points, including: Campbell Harrington, Eagle Scouts, and Catherine and Janice Williams. Many others gave what amounts they were able in order to help pay for mowers, and neighbors pitched in as well.
​
In 2010, a group came together to create an official successor to the original trust, and the Noland Cemetery Group, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(13)* non-profit organization. Supported by generous donations from many descendants of those at rest in Noland Cemetery, we continue with regular mowing and trimming, tree and brush cleanup as needed, and improvements such as gravestone cleaning and repair, placement of a new sign (above), and other projects such as identification and mapping of the burials to the best of our ability.
​
See below for more information about our work, and visit our Facebook page for updates!
​
1877 Illustrated Atlas of Platte County
showing Noland Cemetery (Section 16) and the nearby properties owned by many of those interred at the cemetery.
​
Click image to the right to open full size.
*501(c)(13) is a designation specifically assigned to cemetery care and maintenance. Individual donations are tax deductible.
Noland Cemetery Today
In the nearly 80 years between the passing of the original trustees and the creation of the Noland Cemetery Group, the cemetery suffered a great deal of damage and disrepair. There have been at least two instances of vandalism, and in the field where the cemetery sits the weather can be destructive; we are constantly battling falling tree limbs and entire trees. In addition, some old stones made with substances such as limestone simply do not survive the years of rain and wind.
​
The helpers who voluntarily kept the cemetery mowed for many years did not have the means to do more with the gravestones, and due to financial limitations we can only perform some selected repairs, funded entirely by donations. Some gravestones have been lost in time, and some unfortunately are beyond saving. We are doing our best to prioritize the ones we can save, and find options for those we can't. At a minimum, we hope that our documentation will provide those at rest here with a record that can survive many more years.
​
While we work on providing the best quality care for the cemetery, we respectfully ask that no one take on any individual tasks themselves and do not attempt their own grave marker repair, moving of markers or of donated items such as the bridge or signs, or additions of any items outside of the usual grave decorations (flowers, flags, etc.) - instead, please contact us if you would like to discuss contributing to the cemetery's care.
​
NOTICE: If you choose to visit the cemetery, you do so at your own risk. Noland Cemetery Group will not be held liable for any injuries occurring on this property including, but not limited to, injury due to falling branches or trees, uneven ground, or wildlife.
​
How To Help
​
If you would like to donate to our efforts, simply click the donate button above. You can make a general donation which will be applied to ongoing mowing/storm debris cleanup, stone cleaning or other items as needed, or you can choose to designate it for a specific purpose. Our wish list is below. Please note, we cannot accept donations designated for one specific grave or family - only as benefits the cemetery as a whole.
​
​
Wish List
​
1. Gravestone Repair - donations to fund professional repairs can help us add more grave markers to our priority list.
​
2. Gravestone cleaning - this can be a donation toward the purchase of supplies OR an in-kind donation of D2 Biological Solution.
Simply contact us if you would like to deliver some to us. Any amount would help! (This is the cleaning solution used on national
monuments and cemeteries such as the Washington Monument and Arlington, which we have used to clean stones with astonishing results
over the past year.)
​
3. Tree/limb removal - as noted, we are constantly battling falling limbs from old trees and have had at least 5 entire trees downed just in the last few years, which is a financial drain as well as a risk to fragile gravestones. Either donations to help haul these away or donated services
would be very much appreciated.
​
4. Fence - we would like to explore placing fencing along the sides and possibly the back of the cemetery. Due to cost, we may not be able to fence all sides; our priorities are, in order: west side, east side, and north side (back end).
​
5. Funding sources - if you have knowledge of a source for grants to help care for historic cemeteries, and/or would like to donate your time helping research and apply for funding, we would very much appreciate it!
​
The Board of Directors
President, Susanna Vogt
Vice President, Lisa Fleming
Treasurer, Cammy Shockey
Secretary, Helen Parmeter
​
Directors:
​
Rebecca Vogt
Stanley Harrington
Patty Becker
​