Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo, Wisconsin, has a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century. Established in 1854, the cemetery was developed to serve as the final resting place for the early settlers of the Baraboo area. On August 11, 1855, burials from three Baraboo cemeteries were consolidated on Walnut Hill’s ten acre site. Situated on a picturesque hill overlooking the city, the site was chosen for its natural beauty and its elevated position, which offers a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.

The cemetery quickly became an integral part of the Baraboo community, reflecting the town’s growth and the lives of its residents. Over the years, it has been expanded and carefully maintained, with various sections dedicated to different families, organizations, and veterans. Many of the town’s most prominent figures, including members of the Ringling family, veterans of the Civil War and other conflicts, and influential citizens, are buried here, making the cemetery a significant historical and cultural landmark. Today, Walnut Hill Cemetery is still actively used and maintained, preserving its legacy as a place of tranquility and historical significance in the heart of Baraboo.

The cemetery quickly became an integral part of the Baraboo community, reflecting the town’s growth and the lives of its residents. Over the years, it has been expanded and carefully maintained, with various sections dedicated to different families, organizations, and veterans. Many of the town’s most prominent figures, including members of the Ringling family, veterans of the Civil War and other conflicts, and influential citizens, are buried here, making the cemetery a significant historical and cultural landmark. Today, Walnut Hill Cemetery is still actively used and maintained, preserving its legacy as a place of tranquility and historical significance in the heart of Baraboo.

Notable burials include:

• George W. Brown (d. 1847) Original founder of Baraboo.

• William H. Canfield (1819-1913) Sauk County's first surveyor and earliest historian.

• John Duckins (d. 1894) A runaway slave from Kentucky.

• Roseline Peck (1808-1899) The first Euro-American woman to settle in the Baraboo valley and a

  celebrated pioneer.

• Al. Ringling (1852-1915) Eldest of the five famed Ringling Brothers.