For generations, the Mount Vernon City Cemetery has served as a place of remembrance, reflection, and connection to the families who helped shape our community. Located along Highway 67 just east of the historic downtown square, the cemetery encompasses approximately 25 acres, with an additional 25 acres reserved for future expansion.
The cemetery is the final resting place of nearly 4,000 individuals whose lives span more than two centuries of local history. Among those buried here are pioneers, veterans, community leaders, children, and families whose stories remain woven into the fabric of Franklin County. Some graves date back to the mid-1800s, with the earliest recorded birth being Margaret Bell in 1794 and one of the earliest recorded deaths being Thomas McQuillen Koonce in 1848.
The Mount Vernon Cemetery Association is committed to preserving not only the grounds themselves but also the historical records that help families and researchers connect with the past. Over the years, volunteers and local historians have worked diligently to document tombstone inscriptions, update burial records, map cemetery sections, and gather additional information from obituaries, death records, veterans' records, and genealogical research.
These efforts have created a valuable resource for descendants, historians, and community members seeking to learn more about those who came before us. Family connections, historical notes, and burial locations help preserve the stories behind the names etched in stone.
We are grateful to the many individuals who have contributed to this ongoing work, including those who helped create cemetery maps, document records, and share historical information. Their dedication ensures that future generations will have access to the rich heritage represented within these grounds.
Whether you are visiting the cemetery, researching family history, or honoring a loved one, we welcome you to explore and remember the lives that helped build Mount Vernon. Through preservation, stewardship, and community support, we strive to maintain this sacred place for generations to come.