Established 1840. Arledge RIdge Cemetery consists of two sections; the original cemetery of about four acres on the east side of State Highway 78 and the "new" section located on the west side of State Highway 78 slightly north. While the east side is fully mature and pretty much at capacity, the west side is being developed with the same attention to beauty, maintenance and the devotion to perpetual care of these Holy grounds. Two of the earliest settlers to this area were two brothers, Joseph and William Arledge. William Arledge deeded property in 1876 to be used as a local burial ground for the community. It is believed the first burial was around 1840, but the first documented grave was of Joseph Arledge himself, who was buried in 1855. Along with Joseph Arledge, there are early settlers, Civil War veterans and many locals since who have found their final rest on this historic land. Since the deed of 1876 there have been four land acquisitions; 1893,1948,1965 and most recently, 2007. Established in 1948, The Arledge Ridge Cemetery Association has maintained these beautiful grounds for the past 67 years. Along with keeping this historic cemetery in great condition for the past six decades, they also sponsor a homecoming event once a year. Historical Marker: Among the early settlers of this area were Joseph and William Arledge, brothers who arrived from Alabama in the 1850’s. Both established successful farms in the area, and the growing settlement became known as Arledge Ridge. Joseph Arledge operated one of the earliest freight lines in Fannin County, with regular routes to the port city of Jefferson. William Arledge established a cotton gin in the central part of the county and later sold an acre of land to be used for the community school and church. A tract of land, deeded by William Arledge in 1876, was designated as a community burial ground. According to local tradition, burials may have taken place in the cemetery as early as the 1840s, but the oldest documented grave is that of Joseph Arledge, who died in 1855. Interred in the Arledge Ridge Cemetery are many early settlers, as well as a number of Civil War veterans. Additional land acquisitions in 1893, 1948 and 1965 enlarged the cemetery tract. The Arledge Ridge Cemetery Association, organized in 1948, maintains the historic graveyard and sponsors an annual homecoming event. From http://www.arledgeridgecemetery.org/home.html