Hobart’s Old Settlers Cemetery is located along South Lake Park Avenue (Ind. 51) north of 12th Street.
As a project for Hobart’s American Revolution Bicentennial Commission in 1976, members of the Historical Society researched this burial ground. It had been used as early as the 1840’s by some of the area’s earliest settlers: these included the Colburn, Wheeler, Smith, Hoskins, Howe, and Watkins families.
In the 1860s and 1870s, William Banks, owner of adjacent farm property, granted burial rights to Civil War veterans and their families. The Carothers, Banks and Stillwell burials date from this time. After the Hobart Cemetery on Front Street opened in 1859, Old Settlers was rarely used.
In 1930 the cemetery was briefly used for the burial of paupers. There are a number of unmarked graves including some Native American remains which were reinterred in the 1850’s after being disturbed elsewhere when the railroads were being built.
Through the years, the name of the cemetery has changed from Hoskins, to Banks, to Veterans. The name Old Settlers was decided on by the Commission as being most indicative of the cemetery’s history. It has also been known as the Hobart Township Cemetery, since it has been in its jurisdiction for years.
A historical marker with a plaque listing the names of the interred still stands. In preparation for the dedication Dorothy Ballantyne, her daughter Elin Christianson, and Rita McBride researched and collected information from many sources.
The Dedication Service was held May 30, 1976 with a large crowd in attendance. Hobart’s American Legion Post #54, Township Trustee, Billy Rosser, and a choral group called the Patriots took part in the program.
Prepared by Suzi Schnabel Emig from information in Hobart Historical Society archives.
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