McDivitt Grove Cemetery

Urbandale operates the McDivitt Grove Cemetery located at 7001 Meredith Drive.  The land was originally sold in 1853 to William McDivitt, a pioneer settler, whose name the cemetery still bears.

When John McDivitt, son of William, died, his father set apart a portion of his farm for the cemetery in 1865. A schoolhouse was built on the site in 1866 and the ground was deeded for cemetery purposes in 1870. In the summer of 1875, the school was moved and a Church was built. The church stood from 1875 – 1950 on what is now the “West Addition” portion of the cemetery.

The Webster Township Trustees maintained the cemetery for many years. The City of Urbandale acquired the management responsibility for McDivitt Grove Cemetery in April of 1998.

McDivitt is a non-perpetual care cemetery. A permanent record of all interments is maintained at the Urbandale Parks and Recreation office. Records date back to burials in the 1860’s. Unfortunately though, many of the earlier records are incomplete. There are lots still left in the West Addition of the cemetery.  Lot owners may sell or surrender a lot back to the City, with certain requirements. Traditional lot fees are $400 for an Urbandale resident, or $500 for a non-resident of Urbandale.  

For more information about McDivitt Grove Cemetery, or to find a specific grave, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (515) 278-3963