The 40 acres of Oakland Cemetery are the final resting places for generations of Fort Dodge residents dating back to the mid 1800s. The cemetery was laid out in 1859, just about six years after the city was founded. The city’s founder, William Williams, is one of those buried there.

There’s an old saying that dead men – and women – tell no tales. But what if they could? Those now buried at Oakland Cemetery represent nearly the whole history of the community. Imagine what they could tell us.

Obviously, it is impossible for them to tell us anything. But with thorough historical research and some creative costuming, today’s Fort Dodgers can get a sample of how our predecessors lived.

That is the basis of the Oakland Cemetery Walk. Volunteers pick a person who is buried in the cemetery, research their lives and dress in clothing appropriate for the era and occupation of the individual they are portraying. Then they give a public presentation.

The Oakland Cemetery Walk will be conducted for the 19th time on Sunday. It will begin at 2 p.m. in the BioScience and Health Sciences Building at Iowa Central Community College. Admission is $7. It is worth the price, and that admission revenue is used to help preserve the cemetery, which is located on North 15th Street.

The walk was pioneered by Jerry and Marva Rowe, of Fort Dodge. The Rowes, who died months apart in 2019, were historians who documented more than 7,000 burials in the cemetery. Their work helped get the site added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Early versions of the walk were held in the cemetery. The cemetery is very hilly, making it a tough place for anyone with any difficulty walking so the event was eventually moved indoors.

This year’s performers are Ruth Bennett, Stephanie Coble-Day, Randy Hoover, Alexandria Morris, Tim Morris, Teresa Naughton, Sean O’Connor and Garrett Savery.

We encourage everyone to spend some time Sunday afternoon listening to their presentations.