The first burial in 1873 was a Mrs. Stephen Tanner, placed in a small plot near the center, then known as the Tanner Cemetery. In the 1880's a considerable acreage was acquired by a Coal Creek Scottish fraternal order. It was Thistle Lodge "I of the Gardeners", whose symbol was the Square and Compass with Sickle. You will find this symbol on headstones in the old section of the Cemetery. Originally named Highland, the Cemetery was renamed Union Highland on July 7,1930, when its operation was turned over to the City of Florence, to be used by the city and surrounding communities. NOTE: many names and dates were researched on Find A Grave.