Historical Sites of Grand Rapids

 

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Civil War
Civic Theatre
Pearl St. Bridge
Sixth St. Bridge
Voigt House
Meyer May House
Indian Mounds
Heritage Hills
Pantlind Hotel
McKay Tower
Fulton St. Cemetery

 

Fulton St. Cemetery - On July 9, 1838 the Trustees of the Village of Grand Rapids purchased six acres of land from James Ballard for the price of $300. This land became the Fulton Street Cemetery and one-third of the cemetery was set aside for Roman Catholics. The Village of Grand Rapids agreed to pay for the cost of keeping the cemetery in good order. Twenty years later, the cemetery needed more land. More land around the cemetery was bought in 1862, 1863, and 1864. The village also formed the Fulton Street Cemetery Association of the City of Grand Rapids and officers were elected. With the purchase of the new land, the cemetery went from six acres to twelve acres. Many of the early settlers in the village are buried in this cemetery. The Cemetery Division of the City of Grand Rapids has prepared a map and walking tour of the cemetery for visitors. They have written paragraphs about each person buried at the different stops along the tour. Have you ever heard of the John Ball zoo? John Ball, the man who donated the land for the zoo, is buried here. Thomas Gilbert, the gentleman who convinced the people of Grand Rapids to build the Civil War Monument, is also buried at Fulton Street Cemetery. Print off the map and information and take a tour of Fulton Street Cemetery with your parents or teacher to learn more about the early settlers of the City of Grand Rapids.  Click the stars on the map to obtain information about the person who is buried at that gravesite.