Oak Grove Cemetery, Michigan, United States

5rhondab659 5:00 PM May 17, 2016

Wonderful, relaxing place to visit
Established in 1854, the cemetery is actually two cemeteries located on either side of US 12, also known as Chicago Road, on the western edge of Coldwater. The two cemeteries sit above and are surrounded by the Messenger/Hodunk chain of lakes. The southern side of the cemetery is surrounded by Messenger and South Lakes. While the northern side of the cemetery is bordered by Cemetery Lake. The views from these cemeteries is quite breathtaking from the bluffs overlooking the lakes. Each cemetery has a single entrance from US 12. There are over 14,000 burials in these two cemeteries. *** To enter the north half of the cemetery, turn onto Willow Lane from US 12 (Chicago Road). The entrance is the first left off of the Lane. There is a hill that climbs into the cemetery. There is also a narrow lane that goes toward the cemetery directly from US 12, and may even have been the original entrance back in the day, but the lane is muddy and blocked off at the top; it's more of an access road now, and not fit for cars. The cemetery is on a high hill overlooking the road on one side and the lake on the other. The sides of the hill are quite steep and some of it goes down into a swampy area bordering the road. The main entrance off Willow Lane is paved and goes directly into cemetery. This is, I believe, the site of the original cemetery since the stones here are so very old. The cemetery sits on a bluff overlooking the lake and there are many large and ancient trees covering the property. Some of the tombstones are almost ready to fall off the edge of the bluff; some of them may already have, I don't know. The grounds are very beautiful and intimate. This is a wonderful place to go for a walk or just to contemplate life. There are several paved lanes, all crowded with the names of the formerly living. Some of the stones are very ornate and their owners were obviously VIPs in life, while others are much humbler. It's very well kept for a cemetery so old. There are two sinks in the cemetery, and one of them has a metal door built into the side of the sink; I don't know if this is an old mausoleum or a storage shed since I didn't climb down the steps to find out. I passed several people who were paying their respects or were just out for a stroll or to walk their dog. It's a nice place and I was tempted to bring a lunch to eat while overlooking the lake. *** The south side of the cemetery is much larger than the north side, and many of the stones are newer. There is long drive from the entrance on US 12 into the cemetery proper. Off to the right, and on a hill is a series of flags honoring the military dead of the several past wars. Almost straight ahead and a little to the left is a lovely chapel. There are several sections to the cemetery and many large family stones with their accompaniment of smaller, individual stones. The cemetery is quite large with many paved lanes. Most of this cemetery is open with the trees and bushes in clusters throughout or along the edges of the cemetery. It's a very pleasant drive around the cemetery. The bluff overlooking both lakes is very nice and a good place to relax and look at the water or to have a picnic. The cemetery is very well kept and has a garden-like atmosphere about it with each of its several sections having a personality of its own. There were several people paying their respects and a few families and their dogs taking walks or hiking about the cemetery and going down toward the lakeshore.

5miacolcoh 5:00 PM May 20, 2019

Visit loved ones
If you are around on week days and need to find a grave you can contact the city office. Nice resting place for your loved ones. I work at Pattens Michigan Monument on 12 and would be glad to help.