The first burial ground was established, circa 1838, on a mound of government land near the Pecatonica River. This mound was at the foot of Summit and East Monterey Streets and was later sold and the remains that could be found were re-interred in the Freeport City Cemetery. Many of the graves were never marked with a monument. The location of the old cemetery as well as the new cemetery are shown on the 1871 plat map of Freeport.

The Freeport City Cemetery is located in the 900 block of West Lincoln Boulevard, one block west of South West Avenue. The cemetery covers 25 acres in the center of Freeport. The original cemetery of ten acres was purchased from Temperance Foley by the City authorities and platted in 1855. At the time the cemetery was located at the west edge of the city. After two decades had passed an addition of 15 acres were purchased from Mrs. Foley. The well kept grounds are somewhat rolling with a boulevard of Honey Locust trees presenting an arch of beauty. The grounds are in the care of a sexton, who is employed by the City of Freeport, which administers the trust, makes title to lots conveyed, and is responsible for keeping the grounds in order and repair.

After the founding of Oakland Cemetery in 1901, many people moved their dead from City Cemetery to Oakland Cemetery on what is now Pearl City Road, west of the city limits. Many of the largest and finest of monuments now in Oakland were previously in City Cemetery. Mr. Leslie Fargher (now deceased), who had been in charge of Oakland Cemetery made a numbered list of all the re-interments from the City Cemetery and other cemeteries.

City Cemetery has suffered losses in several ways. The burial records prior to 1911 were lost in a fire, and plat maps did survive, but do not show burials, but only lot owners. Many tombstones have been lost due to vandalism.

NOTES: Row 1 is on the East side of each section. Cemetery office can be reached at 815-235-8210.