In 1926, the Italian community in Hammond was saddened when an Immigrant died from Diptheria. At this time there were no provisions for her burial and this created a challenge. A meeting of Immigrant families was held and after much discussion, they agreed to form an association to purchase the land from a local family for use as a cemetery.The cemetery is now known as Rose Memorial Park Cemetery in remembrance of “Rose” the immigrant whose death prompted the formation and purchase of the cemetery.