Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses only half an acre plot of land, and as of the end of 2005, had 522 interments.

It is maintained by the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Originally a military section of the Alton City Cemetery, and in use since 1870, the half acre lot was donated to the federal government in 1940.

In 2006, Alton announced the first of what is hoped to be an annual Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony at the cemetery that will include speeches by local elected officials, a performance by the Scott Air Force Base band, Pipes and Drums, and a VFW 21-gun salute.

[2] Media related to Alton National Cemetery at Wikimedia Commons