Center Cemetery is located on South Street in Bethel. There is no sign, and although the cemetery is visible from the street, the entrance is not so obvious. Most of the burials date from the 1800s, but there are still modern interments. The cemetery boasts a striking Civil War monument, just inside the entrance, and several interesting, and a few ostentatious, monuments. It's a decent size cemetry, without any paths (other than the circular drive). If you plan on visiting, prepare for a decent hike.

Estimated number of interments, as of August 2024: at least 3629.

Photos were taken 1 August 2024.

The Civil War monument:

"In memory of the Soldiers & Sailors of Bethel who gave their lives in defence of the Union 1861 1865" (A list of names is inscribed on the rear of the monument. A copy of that list is at the bottom of this page.)

"Leonard M. Huse

Feb. 18, 1874.

April 24, 1899.

His wife

Sarah B. Huse

Feb. 17, 1873.

May 15, 1959."

An eternally sleeping infant.

"Our Victor"

Victor Hubbell

Died 22 August 1860,

aged 1 year and 17 days."

Grace Platt

died 17 March 1901,

aged 14 years.

George Lane, died 16 June 1861, aged 54.

Minnie Irene Lane, died 18 October 1882,

a week before her 7th birthday.

"God bless Papa, God bless Mama and,

make Minnie a good girl."

Susan C. Lane, died 2 December 1890, 

aged 52.

"Hush! Let her lie and rest;

she and her heart were tired. It is best."

"Catherine Almira

Daughter of Frederic & 

Martha Mackenzie.

May 10, 1874,

Sept. 18, 1894."

The imposing Baird monument. 

"Our Little Ettie"

Possibly Ettie Clark, who died 

20 December 1877.

The Staples memorial.

George, died 25 April 1885, aged 56 years.

Lucy A. Wheeler, his wife,

died 26 January 1873, aged 42.

The Shepard monument. 

The gate reads, "1853 C. Myers & J. Taylor Jr." 

Honored Civil War Soldiers & Sailors

Transcribed as their names and units appear on the monument.

"Albert Woodruff, 2nd. Conn. Art.

Adam Grimm, 7th. Conn.

James Smith, " "

Wm. H. Smith, " "

John J. Lane, 9th. "

Nathan Keeler, 10th. "

Wm. H. Holley, 12th. "

Bethel S. Barnum, 17th. "

Theodore Blackman " "

Richard D. Taylor, " "

Phil G. Roswell, 20th. "

Wm. McDowell, 1st N.Y.

David W. Benedict, 139th. "

Andrew D. Couch, 17th Conn."

All photos copyright by the author, 2024. Not to be used or reproduced without permission.

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