West Des Moines, IA

The Huston Family

The Huston family arrived in Iowa in 1849, establishing a successful farm, tavern, and post office along a busy stagecoach route. James Huston, a prominent landowner and community leader, was a strong advocate for local education and helped establish the Iowa School for the Deaf. He was buried here in 1889.

The family faced many hardships; the cemetery holds the graves of Nancy Huston (who passed in 1867) and four of their children. While current records list nineteen headstone fragments, early accounts suggest the site originally contained about a dozen graves.

Connection to the Underground Railroad

The Huston family home is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. Local history suggests the earliest burials at this site were two young girls with the surname Harper, who may have been seeking freedom when they passed away. These stories reflect the family’s likely involvement in anti-slavery efforts and aid to freedom seekers.

Land Acknowledgment

This land is the traditional territory of the Sauk, Meskwaki, and Ioway peoples. We acknowledge their historic stewardship of this land, which was disrupted by forced removal, and we emphasize respect for their ongoing cultural connection to this sacred area.

Preservation Efforts

For years, Huston Cemetery sat in the middle of a roadway. To protect the site from vehicle damage and ensure its survival, local roads were recently rerouted to encircle the cemetery instead of passing through it.

• Restoration: Ongoing efforts include maintaining headstones and the symbolic trees on the property.
• Protection: The City has plans to restore the decorative metal fence that originally surrounded the plot.
• Community Care: Descendants and community members continue to work together to ensure these graves and their stories are not forgotten.