Pioneer cemetery facts for kids

A pioneer cemetery is a special place where early settlers, often called pioneers, were buried. You can find these cemeteries in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the U.S., many pioneer cemeteries were started as the country expanded, from the late 1700s to the early 1900s.

Many of these old cemeteries are now considered important historic sites. This means they are protected so we can remember the people who helped build these areas. At least 10 pioneer cemeteries in the U.S. are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of places important to American history.

What Makes a Cemetery "Pioneer"?

Different places have their own ways of defining a pioneer cemetery. Here are a few examples:

Iowa's Definition

The state of Iowa says a cemetery is "pioneer" if it has had 12 or fewer burials in the last 50 years. This means it's a very old cemetery that isn't used much anymore.

Nebraska's Definition

Nebraska has a definition for an "abandoned or neglected pioneer cemetery." It must have been started before January 1, 1900. The people buried there include homesteaders (people who settled on new land), immigrants from other countries, early farmers, or Civil War veterans.

Oregon's Definition

In Oregon, a cemetery is called "pioneer" if it contains the remains of anyone who died before February 14, 1909. This date is important because it marks 50 years since Oregon became a state.

California's Approach

California recognizes that pioneer cemeteries might now be looked after by public cemetery groups. Some can even become "pioneer memorial parks" if they are no longer actively used for burials. The law also allows for old fences or decorations that might be unsafe to be removed.

Places with Pioneer Cemeteries

Many pioneer cemeteries exist across different countries. Here are some examples, with the dates showing when they were officially founded or when the earliest known burial happened.

Australia

• Memorial Park Cemetery (Albany, Western Australia), also known as Pioneer Cemetery, in Albany, Western Australia

Canada

• Buxton Pioneer Cemetery
• Pioneers Cemetery in Stanley Park, Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia
• St. Mary's Pioneer Cemetery (1876), Calgary, Alberta
• Whitehorse Pioneer Cemetery (1900)

United States

Arizona

• Adamsville A.O.U.W. Cemetery
• Double Butte Cemetery, which has a pioneer section listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)
• Fry Pioneer Cemetery, Sierra Vista, Arizona, NRHP-listed
• Henry Wickenburg Pioneer Cemetery, Wickenburg, Arizona, NRHP-listed
• Hardyville Cemetery
• Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, Phoenix, Arizona (1871)

Arkansas

• Palarm Bayou Pioneer Cemetery, Morgan, Arkansas, NRHP-listed

California

• Centerville Pioneer Cemetery, Fremont (1850s)
• Dublin Pioneer Cemetery, Dublin (1859)
• Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles (1877)
• Mount Eden Cemetery, Hayward (1860)
• Pioneer Memorial Cemetery (San Bernardino, California)
• Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose (1847), the oldest non-religious cemetery in California
• San Fernando Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Los Angeles (1850s)
• Sierra Madre Pioneer Cemetery, Sierra Madre (1882)
• San Lorenzo Pioneer Memorial Park, also known as San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery, San Lorenzo

Florida

• Houston Pioneer Cemetery (1883)

Nebraska

• Mormon Pioneer Cemetery (1840s)
• Prospect Hill Cemetery (1856)

New York

• Pioneer Cemetery, Canandaigua, New York
• Pioneer Cemetery (1810), Evans Center, New York, NRHP-listed
• Pioneer Cemetery, Sidney, New York, NRHP-listed

Ohio

• Pioneer Memorial Cemetery (1790), Cincinnati, Ohio

Oregon

• Eugene Masonic Cemetery (1859)
• Eugene Pioneer Cemetery (1872), Eugene, Oregon, NRHP-listed
• Fernwood Pioneer Cemetery, Newberg, Oregon, NRHP-listed
• Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery (1882)
• Gresham Pioneer Cemetery (1859)
• Hargadine Cemetery (1867)
• Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery (1870)
• Lebanon Pioneer Cemetery, Lebanon, Oregon, NRHP-listed
• Lee Mission Cemetery (1842)
• Lone Fir Cemetery (1855)
• Mulkey Cemetery (1863)
• River View Cemetery (1882)
• Salem Pioneer Cemetery (1850s)

Texas

• Pioneer Park Cemetery, Dallas, Texas

Washington

• Bothell Pioneer Cemetery, Bothell, Washington, NRHP-listed
• Chamber's Prairie-Ruddell Pioneer Cemetery, Lacey, Washington, NRHP-listed
• Union Cemetery-Pioneer Calvary Cemetery, Tumwater, Washington, NRHP-listed