Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Forest Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
Forest Hill Cemetery was established in 1858 by the city of Madison, Wisconsin. Burials occurred at this location for more than a thousand years, as American Indians built effigy mounds on the site between 900–1200 A.D. It is an example of the rural cemetery movement, sparked in the United States with the creation of Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The 140-acre cemetery contains the interments of many local notables, including administrators and faculty members at the University of Wisconsin.
Burials in the soldiers' lot began in 1862. The federal government did not own the soldiers' lot until 1886, when the city of Madison donated the 0.36-acre plot, located in Section 34 of the parent cemetery. Deceased Civil War Union veterans from the local general hospital constitute the majority of the interments. However, there are also Spanish-American War and World War I veterans buried at the site. The last burial was in 1931.
A Confederate plot known as "Confederate Rest" is located approximately 100 yards from this soldiers' lot, but it is not affiliated with the National Cemetery Administration.
Monuments and Memorials In 1866, Harvey Hospital in Madison was converted into a home for the children of Union soldiers from Wisconsin whose parents were either killed or unable to care for them. For nine years, the Soldiers' Orphans Home cared for the youngsters. Eight of them died between 1866 and 1870 and were buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. Individual headstones are inscribed with the children's initials and a marble obelisk is inscribed with their full name, date of death, and age. The Soldiers' Orphans Monument marble obelisk was dedicated on Decoration Day 1873 and it is one of NCA's oldest memorial objects.
The Woman's Relief Corps, No. 37, erected a large boulder memorial dedicated to the memory of the unknown dead in 1891.
A granite bench inscribed and dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic is situated at the front of the soldiers' lot.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Forest Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Under Development.
Eligibility for burial at Forest Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.
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Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
From Milwaukee: Take Interstate 94 to Madison, Wisconsin to the Interstate 90 South exit, then take exit 142A. Take SR-12 and 18 West. Follow SR-12 and 18 West to the Dodgeville Exit (Midvale Boulevard). Turn right on Midvale Boulevard and go to Mineral Point Road, which will be the 4th stoplight. Turn right on Mineral Point Road. Mineral Point Road curves to the left and becomes Speedway Road. Follow Speedway Road for approximately two blocks and the cemetery will be on the right. Forest Hill Soldiers Lot number designator is section 35.
From Dane County Regional Airport (7.6 miles from the cemetery): Turn left on airport exit; then turn left on International Lane. Bear left onto Packers Avenue. Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue to East Johnson. Turn onto East Johnson and travel to East Gorham Street. Turn onto East Gorham Street and follow to West Gorham Street. From West Gorham Street turn onto University Avenue; then turn left onto North Park Street. Turn right onto Regent Street and travel to 1 Speedway Road and the cemetery will be on your right. Forest Hill Soldiers Lot number designator is section 35.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Forest Hill Soldiers' Lot.
A National Cemetery System Forest Hill Soldiers' Lot Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Forest Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot (by straight-line distance):
- Fort Winnebago Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Portage, WI (38 mi · closed)
- Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery — Union Grove, WI (73 mi · open)
- Wood National Cemetery Annex — Milwaukee, WI (73 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Forest Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Informed Choice Funeral & Cremation Alternatives is a premier funeral home located at 2247 South 108Th Street in West Allis, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including clean, comfortable, and convenient facilities, updated and impeccably maintained locations, and non-funeral home environment. Professional offerings include funerals, cremation, and online planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,100. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,795, while direct cremation is available from $2,720. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,100. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($850) and use of facilities for viewing ($1,550).
Gunderson Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1710 Center Street in Black Earth, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, chapel, and modern amenities. Professional offerings include funeral services, burial services, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,775, while direct cremation is available from $3,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Lutheran.
Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 29 6th Ave. in New Glarus, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including handicapped accessible and chapel. Professional offerings include funeral services, pre-planning, and online memorials, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,633, while direct cremation is available from $3,483. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran (ELCA), United Church of Christ, Catholic, and Independent Baptist.
Nitardy Funeral Homes - Cambridge is a premier funeral home located at 208 Park Street in Cambridge, WI. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,320, while direct cremation is available from $4,220.
Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Homes is a premier funeral home located at 213 South 5th St. in Watertown, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including watertown funeral home, waterloo funeral home, and chapel. Professional offerings include funeral services, preplanning, and flower arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,400. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,630, while direct cremation is available from $3,400. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church), Catholic (St. Bernard Church), Lutheran (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church), and Lutheran (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - Trinity Lutheran Church).
Claussen Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 416 West Lake Street in Lake Mills, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including handicapped accessible. Professional offerings include funeral ceremony, memorial service, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,450. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,995, while direct cremation is available from $1,450.
Grasse Funeral Service is a premier funeral home located at 401 Angel Way in Rio, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory and reception hall. Professional offerings include traditional services, cremation, and funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,395. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,995, while direct cremation is available from $2,395. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran, Catholic, Assemblies of God, and Congregational.
Nitardy Funeral Homes - Ft. Atkinson is a premier funeral home located at 1008 Madison Avenue in Fort Atkinson, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including recently renovated, audio visual equipment, and chapel. Professional offerings include cremation services, funeral & memorial services, and funeral preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $4,080. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,320, while direct cremation is available from $4,080. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,800. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($1,150) and use of facilities for viewing ($695). The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Lutheran (ELCA, WELS), Methodist, and Episcopal.