In 1896 Swedish settlers organized the Concordia Methodist Church and acquired this land for the Concordia Cemetery, later known as the Lutheran Cemetery. This was also the former site of Strassburg School. In the 1980s it became known as the Scandinavian Cemetery because most of those buried here were Lutherans of not only Swedish descent but also Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish backgrounds. They were primarily from the upper midwestern United States and sought a better climate and living conditions in which to work and raise their families. They cleared the land, built homes, planted orchards and vineyards, established businesses, schools, and churches, and developed a thriving town where they enjoyed social gatherings, band concerts, festive celebrations, and lifelong friendships. These Scandinavians were among the founders of the Town of Thorsby.