In the month of May 1871, Henry Smith, one of the oldest settlers of Pewee Valley (formerly known as Smith's Depot), enlisted the interests of a number of other prominent citizens in the laudable undertaking of establishing a public cemetery. Henry Smith was delegated to make a proper selection of a suitable plot of ground. A preliminary organization with T. H. Rhorer, Henry Smith, and S. Schuler as the executive committee was formed, and a plot was purchased in August of 1871. During the early Spring of 1872 the sections were shaped and partly graded, staked off into "lots" and planted with shade and ornamental trees, etc. During the Winter of 1872, Judge P. B. Muir formulated a charter and had it presented to the Legislature in Frankfort. On July 2, 1904, at a called meeting of Directors, it was resolved to approve the assignment of Section III (containing 11,275 square feet) to the State of Kentucky for the use of the Confederate Home.

Shortly thereafter a Confederate memorial was erected with the inscription, "In Memory of Our Confederate Dead." Of the more than two dozen Civil War obelisks erected in Kentucky, it is the only one cast from zinc. Most are carved of limestone or marble. The monument is also unusual for its architectural element separating the obelisk from the base. This section, which forms an arch on each face, resembles a Gothic altar and contains the inscription, plus depictions of Confederate flags on the three other sides.

Directions to the cemetery:

I-265 (Gene Snyder Freeway) to Exit 30. Turn right onto Hwy 146. Go approx. 2 1/4 miles. Turn right at St. James Episcopal Church onto Maple Lane. Go approx. 3/4 miles. Cemetery is on the right.

Board of Trustees:

Mary Utley "B" Murphy
C. Albert Stoess
William K. Herdt, Jr.
Barry W. Stoess
Dorothy E. Hendrickson

P. O. Box 792
Pewee Valley, KY 40056
(502) 241-8049

For a list of Confederate Veterans buried in the cemetery, CLICK HERE.
For more information on the Confederate Home, CLICK HERE.