Somerset Cemetery
| Somerset Cemetery | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Somerset Cemetery | |
| Details | |
| Established | 1866 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 37°05′31″N 84°36′35″W / 37.09194°N 84.60972°W |
| Size | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Find a Grave | Somerset Cemetery |
Somerset Cemetery, also commonly known as Somerset City Cemetery, is a historic graveyard located in Somerset, Kentucky, United States. While it officially became a community cemetery in 1866 under an act of the state legislature, the land was used for burials much earlier. It holds over 8,000 graves.
Since 2012, the 20-acre (8.1 ha) property has been owned, managed, and maintained by the municipal government of the City of Somerset.
History
The land originally belonged to William Fox, an early landowner and the inaugural county attorney for Pulaski County. Initially, the cemetery served as a burial ground for the Fox family and their slaves.
During the American Civil War, military forces used the property. Because of its high ground, soldiers used the site as a temporary military encampment. Following the war, local citizens wanted to formally regulate the space as a community burial ground, leading to the official establishment of the Somerset Cemetery Corporation as a non-profit entity on April 24, 1866. The private corporation maintained the land for nearly 150 years until turning over administration to the city.
Notable people
- William Fox (1779–1855) – First county attorney of Pulaski County and original landowner.
- Sam Catron (1953–2002) – Pulaski County Sherriff whose 2002 assassination drew national attention
- Leonard Rutherford (1898–1951) – Old-time fiddle player
- Thomas Z. Morrow (1836 – 1913) – Lawyer, judge, and politician
See also
References
- 1 2 "Cemetery". City of Somerset, Kentucky. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- 1 2 Harris, Chris (April 6, 2018). "Honoring the Forgotten". Commonwealth Journal. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- ↑ Miller, Rhonda (December 28, 2016). "Somerset Group Creating Memorial for Slaves in Unmarked Graves". WKMS. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Pulaski County remembers Sheriff Samuel Catron 24 years after his death". LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX). April 13, 2026. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
- ↑ Tomlinson, Heather (March 22, 2014). "Bluegrass artist Rutherford no longer forgotten". Commonwealth Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Thomas Z. Morrow obituary (Lexington)". The Lexington Herald. August 26, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
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