Hillside Cemetery
Also known as: North Burying Ground
Why it's listed
Hillside Cemetery, first called the North Burying Ground, is a one-acre burial ground at the corner of Nutting and Depot Roads in Westford, Massachusetts. The town acquired the land from local farmers by 1753, and it remains in use. About 300 burials are visible, marked mostly by slate, with later granite, marble and a few zinc markers. Early stones carry winged death's heads, while later ones show urn and willow designs and Victorian symbols. Densely grouped 18th-century slate markers stand near the southeast corner. Unlike Fairview Cemetery, which adopted curving avenues and ornate gates, this ground received only a new name and a single path along the north edge, so it kept a plain, Colonial character. It was listed for its ties to community events such as epidemics and Revolutionary service, and for its representative gravestone carving. Lowell carvers Andrews & Wheeler and D. Nichols signed some markers.
Significance in brief: The cemetery is significant under Criterion A for its link to community events such as epidemics and Revolutionary military service. It is significant under Criterion C as a Colonial Period burial ground with gravestone carving typical of its era. It kept its simple, unimproved landscape while other town cemeteries adopted picturesque designs.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05001373, listed December 6, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Depot, Nutting Rds., Westford |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | December 6, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05001373 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1753-1955 |
| Architect / builder | Andrews & Wheeler (carvers); D. Nichols |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Community Planning and Development, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in use as a cemetery; the most recent burial noted occurred in 2001. |
| Coordinates | 42.60753, -71.44470 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05001373.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16892303
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.