The West Point Cemetery overlooking the Hudson River served as a burial ground for Revolutionary soldiers and early West Point inhabitants long before 1817 when it was officially designated as a military cemetery. Until that time several small burial plots scattered in mid-post served as places of interment. The graves from these plots and the remains subsequently found during building excavations were removed to the new site. An improved road to the cemetery was constructed in 1840, and the caretaker's cottage was erected in 1872. Development and expansion of the grounds were made in 1890, 1900, and at various intervals to the present time.