CHERRY CEMETERY, also includes a small area called the "Old Cherry" Cemetery. The cemetery is located about four miles east of Palmyra and one-half mile north of the Girard-Palmyra blacktop road. It's accessible by a lane and is in very good condition. Rarely are there any burials there. A group of interested descendants organized a few years ago and are seeing that it is kept in good condition. The burial place called "Old Cherry" was about one-fourth mile east of the present cemetery. It is thought some of the stones were moved to the present cemetery. Oldest burial found was Anna Cherry, died October 17, 1845, 57 years." Information about Cherry Cemetery is found in the book entitled, "Tombstone Revelations in Macoupin County, Illinois, Compiled by Macoupin County Historical Society Committee".

An earlier survey completed by the WPA of CHERRY CEMETERY gives the following description: "The Cherry Cemetery is over 100 years old. This cemetery was laid out by Mr. Cherry for the benefit of the Cherry family and their heirs in 1834* for burial purposes. At first this cemetery was a private burial grounds but later friends and relatives of the vicinity were given the privilege to bury their dead there. Originally there had been a driveway in the cemetery but now 3/4 of that driveway is taken up with graves. etc." "The oldest grave in the Cherry Cemetery that we can locate by the dates on the markers is that of 'William Cherry' who died October 7, 1836 at the age of 44 years."

*1836 is the date given for the establishment of the Cherry Farm as shown on the Centennial Farm sign.

Overview of Cherry Cemetery in 2020

Location sign