Cemetery identified after almost a century

A brand new marker was installed at the Cornell Cemetery Oct. 14, created by SignArt in Eau Claire, to identify the site, after the Cornell Cemetery Association Board and Cornell American Legion worked together to place the sign where it would be most easily seen. Donated by Mary (Flood) and Doug Carlson, the sign proclaims the cemetery as belonging to the Cornell Cemetery Association, since many people believe it is the city’s cemetery. “We wanted to have that acknowledgment,” said Doug. Present for the installation, left to right, are Doug Carlson, Legion member Jake Gundlach, Mary Carlson, Legion member Lyle Adrian, Cornell Cemetery Association Board member Mary Roth and Carole Moussette. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Did you know, there is no sign identifying the Cornell Cemetery, located on a triangle of land sandwiched between State Hwys. 178 and 64? Well, you can’t say that any longer.

A large, bright blue and gold aluminum sign proclaiming the cemetery, was installed near the obelisk Oct. 14, donated by Cornell native Mary (Flood) Carlson and her husband, Doug Carlson.

When Mary began the indexing process of the cemetery in 2015, along with her cousin/Cornell resident, Carole Moussette, the two agreed, as large as the cemetery grounds are and with such a huge veteran presence, a sign was needed. Doug and Mary also work at the Town of Brunswick Cemetery near their Eau Claire home, and Mary admired the sign that is installed there.

When she told Doug how nice it looked, he said, “We’re going to donate a sign to the Cornell Cemetery.” They approached the Cornell Cemetery Association Board and were given the go ahead.

The board made one request, that the sign be blue and gold – the town colors.

“Blue sold the board,” laughed board member Mary Roth. Mary R., whose father was the caretaker of the cemetery for many years, says visitors express that the Cornell plot is one of the most beautiful cemeteries they’ve ever seen.

“Working with them (Carlsons) on this project, I have realized how much this cemetery, the history of it and the veterans, mean to Mary,” said Mary R.

There are some 3,600 graves in the Cornell Cemetery, with 650 belonging to veterans, all stemming from when the Cornell Cemetery Association Board was formed in 1927.

“That’s 95 years, without a sign,” said Mary. C. “It was time.”