Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
The local Reformed Church of York, Pennsylvania, chartered Prospect Hill Cemetery in 1849. The first burial in the cemetery took place two years later. Soon after, burials in other local cemeteries began to be re-interred in Prospect Hill, including the remains of Phillip Livingston, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Many prominent local citizens have come to rest in Prospect Hill, and today there are more than 90,000 interments in the 327-acre cemetery.
Prospect Hill Soldiers' Lot is located in section A, lot 689, of the parent cemetery. The exact date of the establishment of the soldiers' lot is unknown, but records indicate that the first burials occurred as early as 1862, and were most likely soldiers who died at the local hospital. Originally located on the west slope of Prospect Hill, the soldiers' lot was later moved to a more favorable location on the eastern slope. There are 161 known and two unknown graves in the soldiers' lot, all without headstones. Alternatively, the names are inscribed on two continuous circular curbs enclosing a central soldiers' monument, with breaks only for the path.
Monuments and Memorials In the years following the Civil War, the citizens of York commissioned sculptor Martin Milmore to create a monument for the soldiers' lot. A local firm, Brashears & Son, provided the stone base. Erected in 1874, the 15-foot bronze figure of a soldier honors Union troops who died in the York area. The sculpture stands atop a square granite base surrounded by four cannons.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Under Development.
Eligibility for burial at Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
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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 Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, take Interstate 81 to Interstate 83 South. Follow Interstate 83 South to the George Street exit. Take George Street to cemetery. The cemetery will be on the right.
Floral and grounds policy
Decorations limited to two per grave. Arbors, basket hooks, tripods, rustic or iron work, architectural items, wires, stakes and furniture are prohibited. Vases made of wood, iron, brick, cement, terra cotta, glass, ceramic, and/or any other easily broken materials are not permitted. No pots or containers are to be buried or embedded in the ground or lawn. Fencing, coping, curbing, walls, or any other item that obstructs the movement of mowers or other cemetery equipment is prohibited.
All floral remembrances must be in an easy to trim vase container.
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 Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, PA.
A National Cemetery System Prospect Hill Soldiers' Lot - York at War 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 Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot (by straight-line distance):
- Ashland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Carlisle, PA (28 mi · closed)
- Indiantown Gap National Cemetery — Annville, PA (32 mi · open)
- Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery — Owings Mills, MD (37 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Boulding Mortuary Inc is a premier funeral home located at 471 Madison Avenue in York, PA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and specialty funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist and Christian (Interdenominational). The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 3.9-star Google rating across 60 reviews.
Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 1551 Kenneth Rd. in York, PA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. General services start at $6,655.
John W. Keffer Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 902 Mount Rose Avenue in York, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including east york funeral home, west york funeral home, and on-site crematory. Professional offerings include caskets, merchandise, and complete funeral service packages, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,290. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,075, while direct cremation is available from $1,290.
Susquehanna Memorial Gardens is a premier funeral home located at 250 Chestnut Hill Road in York, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including cemetery, veterans cemetery section, and chapel. Professional offerings include traditional ground burial, aboveground burial, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions.
Emig Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 47 North Queen Street in Dover, PA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and traditional funeral, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,795. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,200, while direct cremation is available from $1,795. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Global Methodist, Lutheran, United Church of Christ (UCC), and Bible Church (Freedom Biker Church, Church of the Open Door).
Diehl Funeral Home And Cremation Center, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 87 South Main St. in Mount Wolf, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including resource library, handicap restroom, and staterooms. Professional offerings include traditional burial, cremation, and contemporary planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,090. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,150, while direct cremation is available from $3,090. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran (ELCA), Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist.
Austin H. Eberly Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 104 West Main St. in Dallastown, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including handicapped accessible. Professional offerings include traditional funeral, cremation, and cultural services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,430. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,720, while direct cremation is available from $2,430. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian denominations (e.g., Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, as indicated by prominent local churches).
Austin H Eberly Funeral Home Inc is a premier funeral home located at 104 West Main Street in Dallastown, PA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.