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A visit to the Fort Des Moines Cemetery ...

Introduction ...

Note: We have organized the cemeteries in our Gazetteer based on a problem that we had while working on our own genealogy. Without specifying the cemeteries involved, we found an ancestor that we believed to have been buried in one cemetery was actually buried elsewhere.

We discovered that his burial had been refused at the last moment and the family had scrambled to make new arrangements. By looking at nearby cemeteries, the surrounding communities and in newspapers of the period, we were finally able to locate his burial site.

Should you find yourself in the same situation, we hope that our Gazetteer helps you discover your lost ancestor.

The Location of the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery ...

Note: The GPS location that we are using for the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery can be traced back to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)<1>

We are using the following GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) for the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery

Lat:   41.5167°   (41° 31' 0")

Lon:   -93.6058°   (-93° 36' 20")

The Ft. Des Moines Cemetery is located in Polk County<2>.

The county seat for Polk County is located in Des Moines. Des Moines lies just to the north of the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery .

List of nearby cemeteries ...

Based on our list of cemeteries, we know of 26 that are within 9 miles [14.5 km]<3> of the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery.<4>

We've listed the following cemeteries based on their distance from Ft. Des Moines Cemetery, with the nearest first.

  • Sunset Memorial Gardens
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sunset Memorial Gardens
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sunset Memorial Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Sunset Memorial Gardens is located in Polk County
  • Elm Grove Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Elm Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Elm Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Elm Grove Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Oak Grove Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oak Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oak Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Oak Grove Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Scotch Ridge Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Scotch Ridge Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Scotch Ridge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Scotch Ridge Cemetery is located in Warren County
  • Avon Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
  • North River Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the North River Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the North River Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The North River Cemetery is located in Warren County
  • St. Ambrose Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Ambrose Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Ambrose Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The St. Ambrose Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Woodland Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
  • Emmanuel Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Emmanuel Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Emmanuel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Emmanuel Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Pleasant Ridge Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Pleasant Ridge Cemetery is located in Warren County
  • Webb Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Webb Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Webb Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Webb Cemetery is located in Warren County
  • Carlisle Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Carlisle Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Carlisle Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Carlisle Cemetery is located in Warren County
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Oakwood Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oakwood Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oakwood Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Oakwood Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Laurel Hill Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Laurel Hill Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Laurel Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Laurel Hill Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Sims Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sims Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sims Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Sims Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Oak Grove Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oak Grove Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oak Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Oak Grove Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Glendale Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Glendale Cemetery
      • The Glendale Cemetery is located in Polk County
      • To give a relative sense of its location, the Glendale Cemetery is a very large cemetery that is located in Des Moines.
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #94875 <5>
    • Resthaven Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Resthaven Cemetery
      • The Resthaven Cemetery is located in Polk County
      • The Resthaven Cemetery has also been known as:
      • McLaren's Resthaven Cemetery
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #95931 <5>
    • Jordan Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jordan Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jordan Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Jordan Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • St. Johns Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Johns Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Johns Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The St. Johns Cemetery is located in Warren County
    • Linn Grove Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Linn Grove Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Linn Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Linn Grove Cemetery is located in Warren County
    • Laverty Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Laverty Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Laverty Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Laverty Cemetery is located in Warren County
    • Middle River Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Middle River Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Middle River Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Middle River Cemetery is located in Warren County
    • Stuart Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Stuart Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Stuart Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Stuart Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Rising Sun Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Rising Sun Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Rising Sun Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Rising Sun Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Harvey Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)

For an expanded list with details, please visit our List of cemeteries.

List of neighboring communities ...

The following 25 communities are within 10 miles [16.1 km]<3> of the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery.

We've listed the following communities based on their distance from Ft. Des Moines Cemetery, with the nearest first.

  • Lakewood
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakewood
    • Lakewood is located in Warren County
  • Norwalk
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Norwalk have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norwalk
    • Norwalk is located in Polk County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 12,449 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Norwalk <6>
  • Des Moines
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Carlisle
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
  • Orillia
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Orillia. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orillia
    • Orillia is located in Warren County
  • Spring Hill
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spring Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Hill
    • Spring Hill is located in Warren County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 65 people
  • Pleasant Hill
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pleasant Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Hill
    • Pleasant Hill is located in Polk County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,025 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pleasant Hill <6>
  • Country Estate Village
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Country Estate Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Country Estate Village
    • Country Estate Village is located in Polk County
  • Cumming
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cumming have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cumming
    • Cumming is located in Warren County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 413 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cumming <6>
  • Rising Sun
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Rising Sun. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rising Sun
    • Rising Sun is located in Polk County
  • Windsor Heights
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Windsor Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Windsor Heights
    • Windsor Heights is located in Polk County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,735 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Windsor Heights <6>
  • West Des Moines
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Des Moines have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Des Moines
    • West Des Moines is located in Polk County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 69,057 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for West Des Moines <6>
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Commerce
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Commerce. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Commerce
      • Commerce is located in Polk County
    • Prole
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prole have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prole
      • Prole is located in Warren County
    • Adelphi
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Adelphi. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Adelphi
      • Adelphi is located in Polk County
    • Marquisville
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marquisville
      • Marquisville is located in Polk County
    • Indianola
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Palmyra
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Palmyra
      • Palmyra is located in Warren County
    • Berwick
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Berwick. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berwick
      • Berwick is located in Polk County
    • Churchville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Churchville
      • Churchville is located in Warren County
    • Hartford
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hartford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartford
      • Hartford is located in Warren County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 780 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hartford <6>
    • Altoona
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Altoona have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Altoona
      • Altoona is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 19,503 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Altoona <6>
    • Carney
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Carney. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carney
      • Carney is located in Polk County
    • Clive
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clive have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clive
      • Clive is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 17,444 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Clive <6>
    • Saylorville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saylorville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saylorville
      • Saylorville is located in Polk County

For the full list of neighboring communities with details, please visit our extended List of Communities.

Nearby communities with newspapers ...

The following communities are those where newspapers have been published and are located in the vicinity of the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery. Unless otherwise noted, the following communities are located in Polk County.

More information can be found on our list of Local Newspapers for The Ft. Des Moines Cemetery.

We've listed the following communities alphabetically.

Websites to help with your research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These websites either offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their websites are open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that might help with the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery:

Miscellaneous References and Mentions ...

Our approach is to add the name of a cemetery whenever we see it mentioned - usually from newspapers, old books and maps. Typically we have little information to start with, but we continue to add detail as we find it.

We've created the following list to keep track of the sources that we found useful for the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery:

  • Referenced GNIS Record ...
  • GNIS ID #2047879  (Fort Des Moines Cemetery)
    • Note: GNIS record #2047879 has been archived by the USGS. It is no longer maintained by the USGS, nor can it be retrieved from their website.
    • Class: cemetery         Map Name: Des Moines SE
    • County: Polk         Elev: 261
    • Location given for GNIS #2047879 (Fort Des Moines Cemetery)

The official website for Polk County: www.co.polk.ia.us/

The official website for State of Iowa: https://www.iowa.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<2>If you're interested in how the shape of Iowa's counties, including Polk, have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- ) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point at the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.5167, Longitude: -93.6058       In this case, the coordinates for the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<4>While we have an extensive database of cemeteries (with over 200,000 entries), you can be assured that it's not complete and our list will be missing cemeteries.
<5>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<6>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<7>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025