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Welcome to Pioneers' Cemetery Association

RESEARCH - PRESERVE - EDUCATE
About Phoenix & Territorial Arizona History

The Mission of the Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. is to conserve and protect the historic physical remains, grave markers, artifacts, and buildings of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park and provide a safe, accessible community resource for present and future generations; to acknowledge, celebrate, and promote Arizona's Pioneer History, represented by those interred in Arizona historic cemeteries, through research, education, conservation, preservation, and community engagement.

The Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status.

Dia de Los Muertos Doll Painting Benefitting GMPP

FUNDRAISER for the PIONEER & MILITARY MEMORIAL PARK’S
Grave Marker Preservation Project

Paint a Victorian Dressed
“Dia de Los Muertos” Porcelain Doll

Saturday, September 21st, 2019, from 10:00am SHARP until 3:00pm.
PLEASE BE ON TIME!

Smurthwaite House, 1317 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Bring your own sack lunch. Desserts and drinks will be provided.

Guests will select a 14" porcelain doll and turn her into a beautiful Dia de Los Muertos table decoration. We will supply the doll, paint & brushes.

Cost is only $25.00. You must pre-reserve and pay in full
by September 14th.

Dolls and supplies are LIMITED to 30 guests.
Please reserve early to guarantee your doll and seat for this delightful project. There will be NO WALK-INS.
Raffle tickets to be sold at fundraiser.

Make checks payable to PCA (Pioneers’ Cemetery Association).
For more information contact: Debe Branning at nazanaza@aol.com
Mail check to: Debe Branning, 1263 N. Gaylord Circle, Mesa, AZ, 85213.

36th Annual Memorial Day Observance!

Thanks to all who braved the wind, weather, and "chill" that was very unusual for Phoenix the end of May! It was a lovely day for all who attended. (apologies for wreaths regularly blowing over) Our thanks to Marshall Shore, Arizona's Hip Historian, for being our MC! It was a lovely treat to hear from our military interred for our program this year! Thanks to our re-creators for bringing them to life! We appreciate the assistance of our new bugler this year, and what a lovely surprise to have a young man inspired to bring sign language to our event when "God Bless the USA" was sung!

We're looking forward to seeing you next year for this event!

Thanks to Our Grave Marker Preservation Team!

Our thanks to Conservator Joe Ferrannini for sharing SO much of his time and expertise with our Arizona preservation team in February!

February began with a seminar hosted by PCA's Grave Marker Preservation committee with Joe as the featured guest speaker. Attendees from around the country joined the discussion to learn more about the best practice to assess historic cemeteries and grave markers as well as how to consider preserving as much of the original marker as possible.

Our time with Joe continued for more than one week at Pioneer & Military Memorial Park and Greenwood Cemetery. Many markers were cleaned and steps taken to restore their orginal beauty. Our preservation team learned a lot in this year's session and added new members for ongoing local projects.

Attached are only a few of the many improved grave markers with before & after shots. Thanks to ALL who attended the seminar, helped with Boots in the Dirt, fed the hungry crew, and YOUR donation support to make it possible for Joe's visit!

MANY Thanks to ALL Donating Time & Items!

Pioneers' Cemetery Association is extremely grateful for the generous donation of Time from our friends at Radiant Assembly of God Church of Surprise collaborating with our neighbors at Human Services Campus.

Our thanks to HandsOn Greater Phoenix for organizing a team of volunteers from APS, Intel, and Midwestern University! These organizations helped greatly to beautify our historic cemeteries to pay tribute to our interred pioneers. These groups and PCA worked closely with the City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation, South Division to make it possible. THANKS, team! (slide shows on left)

Our thanks to Veterans First's lady vets for planting two trees to beautify the area surrounding historic Smurthwaite House! We're looking forward to the shade and beauty these will add for years to come.

Thanks, DAR, for Your Support!

Our thanks to Maricopa Chapter and Piestewa Peak Chapter, NSDAR for their work day March 30! Their effort was even noted in a local paper, the Paradise Valley Independent!

Any organization that would love to reach out to a local non-profit to offer their support and gift of Time, Pioneers' Cemetery Association would LOVE to speak with you!

You can contact us any time at pioneercem@yahoo.com

Thanks to Phoenix Firebird Chapter of Questers!

Our friends of the Questers - Phoenix Firebird Chapter graciously donated a new bench for our front garden area! Thanks for helping to beautify our cemeteries and provide a lovely place to rest!

Honoring Our Chinese Pioneers - Qing Ming

It was a pleasure to visit with our friends of the Chinese community for their annual Qing Ming celebration of their honored deceased. A memorial has been erected to recognize our Chinese pioneers interred at our historic cemeteries.

Preserving Sotelo-Heard Cemetery

Our many thanks to reporter John D'Anna of the Arizona Republic for his time, research, and sensitive story featuring a forgotten "Mexican cemetery" in south Phoenix - Sotelo-Heard Cemetery. Enjoy the story in its entirety here. A list of those buried is included at the very end of the story if you're looking for the possibility of tracing your own heritage here.

Our thanks to Monica Garcia of 12News for her interview with Frank Barrios November 1! The video report can be found here.

Many thanks to Cronkite News and Brittany Watson for her interview with Frank Barrios November 21. The story can be found here.

Pioneers' Cemetery Association is available as a community resource to those seeking to preserve historic cemeteries, aid in research of family genealogy particularly for those connected with our early Arizona burials, and education about early Arizona history by sharing the stories of those who were here before us.

You can contact us at pioneercem@yahoo.com with questions or comments. You are encouraged to become a Friend of PCA by either becoming a member or subscribing to our news. Donations to continue our efforts to preserve history are gratefully accepted.

Listing of Burials

Back by popular demand! If you're looking for the names of all contained (that we're aware of!) within our cemeteries, you can find the entire alphabetic listing under the Services tab for your reference. We have many researchers who find it easier to begin with our lists before heading to Find A Grave or contacting us for details. You'll see notations embedded in lists of who we have additional information about. Feel free to contact us at pioneercem@yahoo.com to access story information. (remember - membership has its benefits!)

Open House Thursdays

Tour the cemeteries and visit historic Smurthwaite House EVERY Thursday, 10 AM-2 PM. Donations gratefully accepted. Smurthwaite House is located at 1317 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ.

Smurthwaite House Video

Many thanks to City of Phoenix's Nathalie Gage as well as Pioneers' Cemetery Association's own Judy Smith and Vivia Strang for their time and talents!

Location & Hours

Smurthwaite House and the cemeteries of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park are open to the public every THURSDAY from 10 AM - 2 PM, on the fourth Saturday of the month September through May at scheduled times, and for special events as posted. The facilities are supervised by an all-volunteer team. Your cooperation to coordinate your activity at available times is greatly appreciated.

Mailing Address
Pioneers' Cemetery Association
P.O. Box 33192
Phoenix, AZ 85067

Smurthwaite House & P&MMP
1317 W. Jefferson St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
pioneercem@yahoo.com

THURSDAYS ONLY
10 AM-2 PM