Ottawa Avenue Cemetery

Ottawa Avenue Cemetery is a historic burial ground located in Ottawa, Illinois, dating back to its founding in 1847. The cemetery is notable for its earliest marked burials from 1835, making it one of the oldest burial grounds in northeastern Illinois. It features the resting places of several prominent figures, including W.D. Boyce, founder of the Boy Scouts of America, and William Reddick, Illinois State Senator and philanthropist. A life-size bronze statue of a Boy Scout stands overlooking the Boyce family plot, commemorating his contributions. The cemetery preserves the memory of many individuals who shaped Ottawa's history, including abolitionists and Civil War veterans.