For years the East “Old” Prairieville Cemetery laid beneath weeds and briars, largely unknown to anyone except a few people. Inside the old cemetery lies the graves of two Civil War Veterans and a War of 1812 Veteran, buried along with the graves of early pioneers and settlers of East Prairieville, located just East of Faribault, here in Rice County.

According to the Old Prairieville Cemetery website: The cemetery was abandoned sometime in the early 1900’s, and has basically been untouched since.  Efforts in the 80's and 90's to bring about awareness of the cemetery went largely unnoticed. A state statute (Minnesota Statute 306.243) was passed to bring about the maintaining of abandoned cemeteries which helped to get the cemetery surveyed and restored.

Now the group that maintains the cemetery is looking for help again. The group is in need of younger caretakers to carry on the tradition. Whether that takes the form of a church, youth group, or business any form of help is appreciated.

For those who would like to help, you are asked to reach out to the group 'Friends of Old Prairieville Cemetery' by clicking here. 

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