Welcome to the Colfax Cemetery, also known as Highland Cemetery and Oak Hill Cemetery. The Colfax Centennial Book (1866-1966) gives a brief history of the Colfax Cemetery. It states that the first death within the city was that of Hiram Trigner in 1868. On a steep hillside, about one-half mile south of the business district, Charles C. Turner, a surveyor, platted a cemetery in 1870. It was privately owned and was named Oak Hill Cemetery.
In 1893, five Colfax men purchased twelve acres North and East of Oak Hill Cemetery. This area was cleared and became Highland Cemetery. Eventually, the entire property was merged under the name of Highland and later purchased by the City of Colfax. In 1943, the Highland Cemetery Association deeded their property to the city of Colfax. The city then combined Oak Hill and Highland Cemetery and have titled it Colfax Cemetery. It is a fifteen acre area on South Walnut Street. Sometime after the deaths of Dave and Doris Edwards, their property was also included in what is now the latest addition to the cemetery. The map below shows the placement of blocks and lots. The area in the Southwest Section of the cemetery, consisting of lots six (6) through two hundred eight (208), was the original Oak Hill Cemetery. It is the only area of the cemetery that has not been divided into blocks and marked as such.
Many stones are broken, unreadable or have completely disappeared. For more information about names and burials please visit the Jasper County webpage.
PLEASE be respectful of the area when seeking this cache. Do not hunt this cache after dark or if mourners are nearby. Please leave this peaceful and revered place in good condition. Remember to practice CITO, always. Cache is log only, so bring your writing utensil.
Source: Jasper County, Iowa Cemeteries: Washington Township Colfax Cemetery, compiled by the Jasper County Genealogical Society; published by the Iowa Genealogical Society. Copyright 1996.