Gleichen Cemetery (Wheatland County)

Gleichen, a hamlet in southeast Alberta, Canada, is a quiet community of approximately 500 people. Located just off the Transcanada Highway, it is approximately 100 km from Calgary. Gleichen is one of the first towns in the Western Territory that would later become Alberta. Gleichen was named after Lord Edward Gleichen in 1884. Originally incorporated as a village on January 24, 1899, it was later incorporated as a town on May 6, 1910. However, after nearly 100 years as a municipality, Gleichen dissolved to hamlet status under the jurisdiction of Wheatland County on March 31, 1998.

During the formation of the province, Gleichen was large enough to have its own seat in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Its population peaked at 668 according to the Canada 1921 Census. Due to its proximity to the railroad, Gleichen was readily accessible to farmers and ranchers living in the area. However, after the community burned a second time in 1912, many of its residents moved elsewhere, mostly to Calgary.

The Gleichen Cemetery is a significant part of the community. The cemetery is home to just over 1000 memorials, and it is very well photographed. It is situated nearby to the sports venue Gleichen Arena & Curling Club and Gleichen Beaupre Memorial Park.