Lilacs at the Cemetery

The original lilac bushes were planted in 1937-1938 as a project by the Civic Improvement Club under the direction of President C. V. Forsgren. The Civic Improvement Club began as an outgrowth of the Commercial Club (later the Chamber of Commerce) in 1906. Their first project was to petition the city council to keep cows off of Main Street. (Clink on link below for a history of the Club). The lilac hedge at the cemetery is currently being removed due to them being diseased and have lived their life span, by report.

Earlier improvements to the old pioneer cemetery had “started after World War I when the existing roads were mapped out, sprinkler systems installed, grave markers lined up and landscaping improved. Much of this work was accomplished by the Works Progress Administration, a federal assistance program established during the Great Depression. Since that time the Cemetery has been under perpetual care maintenance by the City.” https://livingnewdeal.org/sites/cemetery-brigham-city-ut/

For additional history on the Civic Improvement Club in Brigham City visit: https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=25202852

Compton photo from the Compton Collection at the Merrill-Cazier Library at USU. All photos are used for nonprofit, educational, and noncommercial purposes only.

Lilac hedge on west side removed

Compton photo of cemetery circa 1896

History of lilac hedge from the Box Elder Journal 3/24/1977