Historic Omaha Cemetery

Looking Back to History

Update: And Prospect Hill Cemetery has received grant money to improve the grounds (https://www.3newsnow.com/north-omaha/prospect-hill-cemetery-in-north-omaha-plans-to-make-major-renovations-with-nsorg-money).

For some reason I thought this cemetery was completely closed with a mere handful of caretakers. I could not be more wrong. The Prospect Hill Cemetery is in good stewardship with a board of trustees. They have two websites (https://www.prospecthill-omaha.org/ and https://www.prospecthillomaha.org/) and many FindAGrave photo requests (https://www.findagrave.com/photo-request/search/cemetery/101200?sortBy=newest&page=2#pr-13272501).

This cemetery holds a Memorial Day event each year. This year, Omaha attorney Lawrence Dwyer made a presentation. He is the author of the 2022 book "Standing Bear's Quest for Freedom: The First Civil Rights Victory for Native Americans." Dwyer explained how Andrew Jackson Poppleton, who is buried at Prospect Hill cemetery, was instrumental in defending Chief Standing Bear in Court resulting in acknowledgement of Native Americans in having rights (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7870864/andrew-jackson-poppleton).

John Lee Webster was on the case as well but he is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8573204/edward-rosewater). Forest Lawn cemetery is an open cemetery (https://www.forestlawnomaha.com/) but their cemetery also has many famous people buried including Edward Rosewater

(https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8573204/edward-rosewater), who telegraphed the Emancipation Proclamation to the world.

But to Prospect Hill, there is more. Champion Chase who helped found the Nebraska Sons of the American Revolution was also mayor of Omaha and much more

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champion_S._Chase).

Also, the founder of Metz beer is buried at Prospect Hill (https://brookstonbeerbulletin.com/historic-beer-birthday-frederick-metz/) So many interesting people!

However, Prospect Hill needs volunteers to clean up the place and to help with documentation and more. Donations help reset fallen grave stones and to assist with documentation and research. Consider donating and helping out today.