Established 1865 Country United States No. of interments 5,373 Founded 1865 | Location Togus, Maine Size 31.2 acres (12.6 ha) Address Chelsea, ME 04330, USA Phone +1 207-582-4802 | |
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Type United States National Cemetery (closed to new interments) Burials John Preston, David John Scannell Similar Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Calumet Playground, Farmers' Market at Mill Park, Adjutant General, Togus VA Medical Center | ||
Wreaths at togus national cemetery
Togus National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located at Togus, Kennebec County, Maine. Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses 31.2 acres (12.6 ha), and as of the end of 2005, had 5,373 interments. It is closed to new interments.
Contents
Wreath laid at togus national cemetery
History
Named for an Algonquian Native American word for mineral water, the area the cemetery resides on was formerly a hotel and resort known as Togus Springs. The resort failed as a business due to the outbreak of the Civil War, and its owner died shortly thereafter. The federal government purchased the property for 50,000 dollars and established a veteran care facility. The first veterans were admitted on November 10, 1866. The facility was expanded and eventually had the capacity for 3,000 veterans.
The cemetery itself is divided into two plots, the West Cemetery and the East Cemetery. The older West Cemetery was first established in 1865 and moved to its present location in 1867; it closed for interments in 1936. The East Cemetery was opened in 1936 to provide additional interment space. It was closed for interments in 1961.