[1][2] After the first permanent European-American settlers arrived in Madison in the 1830s, the first non-native burials occurred on the current University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, near Bascom Hill.

The committee members chose the current site, then on the far west side of the city and subsequently bought the original 80 acres (320,000 m2) of land for $10,000 from John and Mary Wright.

In 1863 the city sold a portion of land from the original purchase to the Roman Catholic Societies for $170.

In 1928, another 80 acres (320,000 m2) were purchased, 60 of which are part of the Glenway Golf Course directly behind the present cemetery.

[7] A stone marker or cenotaph lists the names of 132[8] of the prisoners who died in custody.