Buena Vista Cemetery
(Also known as Old Mother of God Cemetery or St. Joseph Cemetery), Covington
Location: Madison Avenue and 26^th Street, Covington, Kenton County
Established: 1849
Owner: Mother of God Parish
Closed: Yes, a majority of remains were re-interred at the new Mother of God Cemetery
Burials: German Catholics of Covington and vicinity
Records Available at the Library: KR 976.935 S156j
History: The cemetery was established in 1849 as a parish cemetery for the Mother of God congregation (the second oldest Catholic parish in Covington). The original deeds for the property were signed by Bishop Purcell of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (this was before the creation of the Diocese of Covington in 1853). From the beginning, however, the cemetery also received burials from other German-Catholic parishes in the area.

The cemetery filled quickly, and by the late 1800s was nearly full. At this time, Mother of God Parish began plans for the establishment of a new cemetery in Latonia/Ft. Wright. When the new Mother of God Cemetery opened, a number of families decided to re-inter their loved ones.

Between 1900 and 1960, Buena Vista, or old Mother of God Cemetery, fell into a disrepair. Vandals did much damage to the headstones, and a general lack of maintenance had taken its toll. At this time, the Diocese of Covington agreed to lease the cemetery property to the City of Covington for $1.00 per year for recreational uses. Before the lease took effect, however, efforts were made to locate all the remaining graves and to move them to the new cemetery in Latonia/Fort Wright. The only reminder of the old cemetery is a fenced pen housing several stacks of headstones that were removed when the graves were re-interred.
Online Records Available

Craig Street Cemetery, Covington
Location: Covington's west-end, 6^th Street near the intersection with the railroad overpass
Established: c. 1820 (land donated by the Gano family)
Owner: City of Covington
Closed: 1872 (Majority of remains re-interred at Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell)
Burials: Covington residents, predominantly Protestant
Records Available at the Library: No records exist
History: When the City of Covington was laid out in 1815, the founders recognized the need for a burial ground. There is no direct evidence as to when the first burial took place at the Craig Street Cemetery in the west end. The first know documentation of the cemetery is in 1823.

In 1883, the property was graded and subdivided. Sixth Street was extended through part of the property, and the railroad acquired an additional portion. The remainder of the property was sold to the general public.

Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate

Location: 25 Alexandria Pike, Southgate, Campbell County
Established: 1850
Owner: Newport Cemetery Company
Burials: Non-Denominational
Records Available at the Library: Microfilm - CEME-E 1-19; KR 976.934 M613e; KR 976.934 M613ss
History: The cemetery was established in 1850 by the Newport Cemetery Company. The original plot of land consisted on 17 acres. During the Civil War, the Shaler Battery was located on the highest point in the cemetery. This battery was part of the extensive defenses built to protect Cincinnati from Confederate invasion.

A number of graves, however, pre-date the 1850 time period. Older graves from two Newport cemeteries were moved to Evergreen in the years following the Civil War.

A residence for the sexton of the cemetery was constructed in 1872. Seven years later, in 1879, the name of the cemetery was officially acknowledged as Evergreen. By 1902, a chapel had been constructed on the cemetery grounds and was used for funeral services and layouts.

Today, the cemetery contains 250 acres and accepts burials from throughout the region.

Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Erlanger

Location: 3227 Dixie Highway, Erlanger, Kenton County
Established: 1937
Owner: Private Ownership
Burials: Non-Denominational
Records Available at the Library: None

History: In 1935, Marguerite Stetter, of Bellevue, purchased the old Tom Cody Estate on the Dixie Highway for use as a cemetery. Tom Cody had utilized the property for a restaurant and picnic grounds (1913-1935).

In January 1937, the first burial took place at Forest Lawn. The absence of large grave markers and monuments made Forest Lawn unique in the 1930's. The cemetery was built as a "garden." Grave markers were to remain small and flush with the ground, thus, maintaining a rural garden atmosphere.

Over the decades, Forest Lawn has grown to become one of the largest cemeteries in Northern Kentucky.

Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell
Location: 2167 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell, Kenton County
Established: 1869
Dedicated: June 22, 1869
Owner: Private Association
Burials: Regional Cemetery, Predominantly Protestant
Records Available at the Library: Microfilm - CEME-H 1-19
History: Traditionally, Protestant Covingtonians buried their dead at the Craig Street Cemetery. By the late 1860s, the Craig Street Cemetery was full. On December 12, 1868, a number of prominent Covington citizens met at the Odd Fellows Hall on Madison Avenue to discuss the establishment of a new cemetery. Most agreed that a more rural setting with enough acreage to expand would be ideal.

In 1869, three large parcels of land on the Lexington Pike (Dixie Highway) in Fort Mitchell were purchased as a site. A subscription drive was begun in January 1869 to raise the necessary funds. In time, over $23,000.00 was raised. The committee decided to name the cemetery "Highland" because of its geographical location.

In June 1869, section I of the new Highland Cemetery was completed. The first burial at Highland Cemetery was that of Mary Ann Blythe, who had died on December 21, 1868. She had been originally interred at Linden Grove Cemetery in Covington before being re-interred in Fort Mitchell.

Highland Cemetery was officially dedicated on June 22, 1869. At this time the cemetery consisted of 114 acres (today, the cemetery contains over 300 acres).

Linden Grove Cemetery, Covington
Location: 1421 Holman Avenue, Covington, Kenton CountyEstablished: c. 1835
Consecrated: September 18, 1843
Burials: Covington residents, predominantly Protestant, Also African-Americans
Records Available at the Library: Microfilm - CEME-L 1-16; KR 976.935 L744gi
History: In 1833, the Western Baptist Theological Institute purchased approximately 150 acres of land south of the City of Covington for the construction of a major theological seminary. A college building and several homes were constructed.

The Institute laid out a small cemetery on a portion of their extensive property. The cemetery was originally called the Cincinnati and Covington Cemetery. By the early 1840s, the Craig Street Cemetery in Covington was reaching capacity. The trustees of the Theological Institute saw the expansion of their cemetery as a means to increase income for their educational endeavors. Plans were developed to expand and improve the cemetery. Ephraim Robbins was given the commission to design an extensive cemetery that would serve the entire Covington area.

Following the construction of roads, a pond, and the planting of many trees and shrubs, Linden Grove Cemetery (the new name for the endeavor) was officially consecrated on September 18, 1843. Representatives from the various Protestant churches of the city were in attendance.

The growth of the City of Covington eventually surrounded the cemetery. Today the property is bordered by 13^th, Kavanaugh and Linden Streets. In 1858, the cemetery was sold to Samuel Walker, who continued to improve the facilities.

The construction of Highland Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell in 1869, decreased the number of burials at Linden Grove. By the 1920s, the cemetery was in a dilapidated condition. In 1948, the cemetery was placed in receivership due to financial difficulties.

Mother of God Cemetery, Latonia/Fort Wright
Location: Madison Avenue and Latonia, Covington, Kenton County
Established: 1887
Owner: Private, Board of Trustees (Roman Catholic)
Burials: Regional Cemetery, Predominantly German CatholicsRecords Available at the Library: Microfilm - CEME-M 1-8History: By the 1880s, Buena Vista (or old Mother of God Cemetery) was reaching capacity. The need for a larger cemetery was addressed by the members of Mother of God Parish in 1887. On November 29 of that year, the Mother of God Cemetery Association of German Catholics of Covington was established. The association's primary task was to purchase land and lay out a new cemetery.

Over the ensuing years, Mother of God Cemetery evolved from a parish cemetery to a regional one. Trustees began to be chosen from the various German-speaking Catholic parishes in Covington.

The cemetery contains a beautiful crucifixion scene sculpted by the famous Covington sculptor Clement Barnhorn. The cemetery is also the resting-place for the famed Covington artist Frank Duveneck.

When the Diocese of Covington Cemetery Office was established in the 1960s, the trustees of Mother of God Cemetery decided to remain independent.

St. John Cemetery, Fort Mitchell
Location: Ridge Road, Fort Mitchell, Kenton County
Consecrated: May 19, 1867 By Bishop Augustus Maria Toebbe
Established: 1867
Owner: St. John Catholic Church, Covington (Since the 1960s, part of the Diocese of Covington Cemetery System)
Burials: Regional Cemetery, Predominantly German Catholic
Records Available at the Library: Tombstone Inscriptions - KR 976.935 S156j (3 Volumes)
History: St. John Parish is the third oldest Catholic congregation in the City of Covington. Originally located at the corner of Leonard and Worth Streets, the parish complex was rebuilt on Pike Street in the early 1900s.

In 1867, the parish, under the supervision of Father Andreas Michel, purchased a parcel of land on the Lexington Pike (Dixie Highway) in the present day City of Fort Mitchell for use as a cemetery. The cemetery was consecrated on May 19, 1867.

St. John Cemetery developed slowly over the next fifty years. During the pastorate of Father William Tappert (1873-18879) a number of improvements were made at the cemetery. At this time, land was graded, permanent roads were constructed and numerous ornamental trees and shrubs were planted. Also at this time, Father A.M. Meyer, pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Ludlow, constructed a small frame chapel in the cemetery, which was dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of "Comforter of the afflicted."

St. John Cemetery remained a parish cemetery until the 1960s when it was absorbed by the Diocese of Covington Cemetery System.

St. Mary Cemetery, Fort Mitchell
Location: 2201 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell, Kenton County
Established: 1870
Blessed: July 17, 1870 by Bishop Augustus Maria Toebbe
Owner: Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption (Since the 1960s, part of the Diocese of Covington Cemetery System)
Burials: Regional Cemetery, Predominantly English-speaking (Irish) Catholics
Records Available at the Library: Online GenKY Database
History: In 1870, St. Mary Parish (the Cathedral Parish) purchased a 43 acre plot of land on the Lexington Pike (Dixie Highway) for use as a parish cemetery. Bishop Augustus Maria Toebbe blessed the cemetery on July 17, 1870. The property was purchased for $9,500.00. Immediately, steps were taken to layout the lots and to beautify the grounds. Over the next few decades, the cemetery was expanded in size.

St. Mary Cemetery was the first to enter the Diocese of Covington Cemetery System. In addition, the cemetery is the resting-place for all the deceased bishops of Covington (except for Bishop Ferdinand Brossart who is buried at St. Anne Convent Cemetery in Melbourne, KY).

St. Stephen Cemetery, Fort Thomas
Location: 1523 Alexandria Pike, Ft. Thomas, Campbell CountyEstablished:
Owner: St. Stephen Parish, Newport (Since the 1960's, part of the Diocese of Covington Cemetery System).
Burials: Regional Cemetery, Catholic
Records Available at the Library: KR 976.934 S153a
History: In the late 1850s, St. Stephen Parish in Newport purchased 11 acres of land on the Alexandria Pike in the current City of Ft. Thomas. The property was cleared and set aside for cemetery purposes. Bishop George Aloysius Carrell dedicated the cemetery on May 20, 1860.

In these early years, the cemetery was primarily a burial place for the parishioners of St. Stephen Parish. The purchase of additional property, however, made the cemetery desirable for Catholics of other parishes.

In 1908, a stone chapel was constructed. The chapel was dedicated in October 1908, by Bishop Camillus P. Maes. This chapel was removed and replaced by a chapel/mausoleum in 2001.

Originally a burial place for German Catholics, St. Stephen Cemetery is now the largest Catholic cemetery in Campbell County.