The two municipal cemeteries are located on either side of West Street, north of the original plat of Fort Morgan. They are always open and lighted at night.
The cemetery was located close to the South Platte River, so that the citizens of Fort Morgan could haul water to beautify the area with trees, grass, and flowers.
Hitching posts, reminiscent of the old west, actually protect sprinkler heads from vehicles.
As the town grew, new additions were added to Riverside Cemetery each designated with the next letter in the alphabet.
Memory Gardens opened in 1961 as the cemetery continued to grow. Haven of Rest (center section) is reserved for flat markers only. The names of other sections have Biblical references: Sermon on the Mount, Mount of Beatitudes, Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane. Historically, cemeteries have an east-west orientation, following the Judeo-Christian belief or resurrection from the east. This design is evident in Memory Gardens but not in Riverside Cemetery.
To read more history of the cemetery, take a walking tour and download maps of the cemetery, click the links on the left.