Walnut Grove Cemetery Walking Tour

Welcome to Walnut Grove Cemetery.

This is the resting place of over 9,000 people including veterans from every war starting with the War of 1812.

The cemetery was one of the very first in Ohio to embrace the new idea of a “Forest Park” setting where the peaceful park like atmosphere helped people reflect and enjoy the final resting place of so many loved ones.

Worthington's St. John Episcopal Church cemetery was filling up rapidly by the mid-1800's and a new burying ground became necessary. In 1859, a purchase of nearly fifty acres for $2150.00 was agreed upon in this spot. The clearing and preparing of ten acres of the land was undertaken as well as building a road to the property. The cemetery gradually sold off the other 40 acres.

The First Burial at Walnut Grove Cemetery took place February 1, 1859. Numerous people buried earlier were moved from the Methodist and Presbyterian cemeteries, when they were closed.

Since its inception, Walnut Grove Cemetery has operated as a Union Cemetery, meaning it is owned and operated by two municipalities, Sharon Township and the City of Worthington.