Smith Zimmermann Heritage Museum

Old Lake Madison Cemetery

    Old Madison Cemetery in the northwest corner of Section 23 of Lakeview township is perhaps the oldest burial place in Lake County. It is located at the east end of the Chautauqua Grounds near the site of Baker's barn, a well-known land mark for early pioneers. Mr. William J. Baker, a progressive settler, who came to Dakota Territory in 1873 and settled on the north shore of Lake Madison, gave the site for the cemetery where he is believed to be buried. Cedar trees were planted among the several headstones placed there.

Since the place was not used for burials after about 1890 the site fell to the ravages of times, weather, and no regular maintenance. Man, himself, finally desecrated the burial place. All remnants of markers have been removed and lakeshore cottages have taken its place. One headstone was saved and placed in Smith-Zimmerman Museum on Dakota State College campus.

**From all research it is believed that the following are among the persons who were buried at the cemetery.

NAME	BIRTH	DEATH	OTHER INFORMATION
Baker, Albert	23 Jan. 1876	26 Jan. 1876	Son of William J. Baker
Baker, James E.	18 May 1865	26 Aug. 1889	b. in Hichland Co. WI, son of William J. Baker
Baker, William J.	8 Mar. 1829	30 Mar. 1880	b. in Rush Co. IN;  d. of consumption
Burke, Mrs.			Removed to Prospect Cemetery, Chester
Huntimer, . . .
Lee, Arthur E.	1867	1 Apr. 1871	Son of William and S. Lee, drowned in Lake Madison
Lee, Earnest	May 1876	22 Sept. 1878	Son of William and S. Lee
Lee, Willie L.	about 1872	17 Nov. 1875	Son of William and S. Lee
Thompson, Edith	2 year old	before 1884	Dau. James H. and Susan (Baker)
Thompson, Sarah	1820	16 Feb. 1878	Wife of George, Removed to Graceland Cemetery
Walker, Robert A.	Sept. 1857	22 Apr. 1878	Son of L. and J. Walker, aged 20 yrs, 7 mo
Vine, Grace			Removed to Prospect Cemetery

This burial site being a part of the Chautauqua Grounds merits a brief history of the Chautauqua itself. The Chautauqua Association bought 60 acres of land at Morena Beach, the entire lake front, including renown Grand View Hotel (which later burned) for $6,000. A stock company was formed at $100 a share. The Chautauqua Assembly opened July 15, 1891 and was a highly successful entertainment center. By 1925 its popularity began slipping and in 1935 the site was s old at a sheriff's auction because of failure to pay the mortgage and taxes. Madison Building and Loan bought the site for $22,721 and in 1945 deeded the property to Lake Madison Resort for $13,000. Lake Madison Resort, Inc. sold lots 12,13, and l4 in Block 15 to Dr. P. M. Rensvold in 1945 for the sum of $1.00.