Oaklands Cemetery is a rural cemetery founded in 1854 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It is located at 1042 Pottstown Pike and occupies roughly 26 acres (0.11 km2). Oaklands Cemetery was founded as a response to the closure of graveyards within the borough of West Chester and the stoppage of future burials allowed within it. An act to incorporate the cemetery was passed by the Pennsylvania legislature and approved by Governor William F. Johnston on April 14, 1851. Land was purchased from Joseph L. Taylor located a mile and a half north of West Chester to become the cemetery, with a portion allotted for Catholic burials which became St. Agnes Cemetery. Roads were laid, a small lake was created, and a receiving vault, superintendent's cottage and gateway were built for the new cemetery. Oakla