Trip Planner:   USA  /  Illinois  /  Moline  /  Riverside Cemetery

Riverside Cemetery, Moline

4.2
#9 of 10 in Things to do in Moline
Cemetery · Hidden Gem · Tourist Spot
Create an itinerary including Riverside Cemetery
Riverside Cemetery is located in Moline, Illinois, United States. It can trace its beginnings to Moline Cemetery, which was established to 1851. The original 5 acres (2.0 ha) of the cemetery was purchased from Samuel and Mary Bell on November 1 of that year. It is located between Fourth and Fifth Avenues at about 33rd Street, and was also known as the Fourth Avenue Cemetery. Joseph Pershing served as the first Sexton, and the cemetery was placed under the direction of a Board of Trustees.

Numerous changes occurred when John Deere served as the mayor of Moline. In 1873 the city took over control of the cemetery, and a Board of Directors was appointed by the mayor and the city council. Now known as Riverside Cemetery it began to expand to the south on property purchased from various landowners. The main entrance for the cemetery was located on 6th Avenue by the Sexton's house. At this time William Le Baron Jenney, a prominent Chicago urban planner and architect, designed the hilly 94 acres (38 ha) section of the cemetery.
What is now Riverside Park was cemetery property at one time. There was controversy about how cemetery land was being used. The property between the Fourth Avenue Cemetery and the hillside sections of the cemetery were being used for recreational purposes. Around 1909 the cemetery's board started selling property to the Park Committee and used the proceeds to maintain the cemetery.
The Chapel Mausoleum was completed in 1916. The Greek Revival style structure is built of #1 Peerless Buff stone. It contains 800 single crypts, 48 companion niches and features stained glass windows. The last house used by the cemetery's sexton was moved to the property in 1958. It served as the cemetery office until 1983 when the office was moved Moline Memorial Park. It ceased as the sexton's home in 1998. It is now used by the Director of Moline Parks & Recreation. Both Riverside Cemetery and Moline Memorial Park have been administered by the Moline Park and Recreation Department since 1978.
An historical cemetery walk is sponsored each September called: Echoes From Riverside Cemetery. Costumed actors play the role of one of the people buried in the cemetery. A book was published in 2010 based on the walk.
To visit Riverside Cemetery on your holiday in Moline, and find out what else Moline has to offer, use our Moline.
Source
Create a full itinerary - for free!

Riverside Cemetery reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.0
6 reviews
Google
5.0
TripAdvisor
  • We were in Moline for three days and with Covid we opted for doing as many outdoor activities as possible. In a Cemetery like this you can get a feel for this history of the town. 
    We were in Moline for three days and with Covid we opted for doing as many outdoor activities as possible. In a Cemetery like this you can get a feel for this history of the town.  more »
  • I had visited the Riverside Cemetery one year ago. At that time I could not find the gravesite of the famous blacksmith (understatement) and influential citizen of Moline, John Deere. This time I had....  more
    I had visited the Riverside Cemetery one year ago. At that time I could not find the gravesite of the famous blacksmith (understatement) and influential citizen of Moline, John Deere. This time I had....  more »
Google
  • Beautiful cemetery, great view for the residents!
  • good eats.

Plan your trip to Moline

  • Get a personalized trip
    A full day by day itinerary based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place. Everyone on the same page.