The first burial ground in old Rapids City was located on the south east corner of the present First and Dixon Avenues, the land north of that being the south limit of the Richard Arey farm. It covered an area of several lots along First Avenue.
Tradition says that it was originally an old Indian burial ground.
As the town grew, the lots were sold for building purposes. Deacon Richard Arey lived in the house on the corner for many years after disposing of his farm to commercial interests. After changing hands several times, the corner lot came into the hands of Mrs. Hazel Jensen in September of 1918. For several years, many of the old grave stones remained - one of which had an angel on the top of it. They were removed or destroyed.