Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses 31.2 acres (12.6 ha), and as of the end of 2020, had more than 5,300 interments.

Named for an Algonquian Native American word for mineral water, the area the cemetery resides on was formerly a hotel and resort known as Togus Springs.

The resort failed as a business due to the outbreak of the Civil War, and its owner died shortly thereafter.

The federal government purchased the property for 50,000 dollars and established a veteran care facility.

The older West Cemetery was first established in 1865 and moved to its present location in 1867; it closed for interments in 1936.