Welcome to Pioneers' Cemetery Association
RESEARCH - PRESERVE - EDUCATE
About Phoenix & Territorial Arizona History
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.
The Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status.
Our historic cemeteries are now open by appointment on Thursdays 10 AM - 2 PM for self-guided tours.
Tours of historic Smurthwaite House are now available on Thursdays 10 AM - 2 PM by appointment only.
Please contact us at pioneercem@yahoo.com for arrangements.
Open House - Saturday, October 23, 10am-2pm
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We will be open on Saturday, October 23rd from 10 am until 2 pm. Volunteers will be available to answer questions and share information about the cemeteries and Smurthwaite House. Social distancing is required in the cemeteries - masks are required in Smurthwaite House per City of Phoenix at this time.
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Event - Beyond the Grave: Honoring Our Ancestors
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Pioneers' Cemetery Association is teaming up with Arizona's Hip Historian, Marshall Shore, to be part of an event that will honor our ancestors as you explore Arizona history and possibly your own. Head here to reserve your ticket!
Re-enactors (such as those pictured from prior events) will be present to bring the stories of some of our interred to life. Tarot card readers and other surprises will connect you with history - you don't want to miss this opportunity! We ask no costumes or face painting for this event in respect of the cemetery. |
| Flyer - Beyond the Grave |
Thank you, Daughters of the American Revolution!
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More than 41 members of local DAR chapters spent October 9th with PCA Grave Marker Preservation volunteers learning how to safely clean headstones, sprucing our cemetery up in the process. This was part of an annual DAR Day of Service including members in Cactus Wren, Camelback, and Grand Canyon chapters.
Our thanks to all of these ladies for their willingness to learn and serve to keep our historic cemeteries looking their finest! A special round of thanks to Cactus Wren Chapter for a generous donation to support our Grave Marker Preservation efforts - we couldn't do it without you! |
Grave Marker Preservation Thanks You for Your Support of Our Dia de Los Muertos Event!
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Thanks to all who attended to paint a pot or a doll while learning traditions that are part of Dia de Los Muertos! Everyone had a ton of fun! Thanks to volunteers Cindy Lee and Debe Branning for leading this project that supports Pioneers' Cemetery Association's grave marker preservation projects.
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Buffalo Soldier Plaque Dedication
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A dedication of the Buffalo Solider Plaque at Porter Cemetery occurred on Memorial Day, presented by the Buffalo Soldiers of America, Arizona Chapter. Buffalo Soldier Clarence Proctor is buried in our cemeteries.
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Thank You, Phoenix Parks & Rec!
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PCA greatly appreciates the assistance and effort to keep our historic cemeteries clear of weeds and looking beautiful! City workers set out in full force weeding and trimming trees in our 13 acre cemetery. This was a major effort since the weeds had taken over after the rains.
Thank you City Parks workers for your hard work! 
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Memorial Day Remembrance 2020
Thank you, Cactus Wren Chapter, NSDAR!
PCA is very excited to announce we were awarded a preservation grant from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The grant is sponsored by Cactus Wren Chapter, NSDAR of Chandler and will be used for grave marker preservation in our cemeteries. Thank you to Kandy Wagenbach, Gera King, W. Jobeth Fjell, and Jenn Shaffer Merry for your help!
Thank You, Arizona Humanities!
We are excited to announce that PCA received a grant from Arizona Humanities to create new tour brochures and programs focusing on the history of our women and children buried at P&MMP. We will also be able to make repairs to several of the grave markers pertaining to women and children. Why just this select group? This year is the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote and March is women's history month. Our researchers will be hard at work writing more biographies and creating new stories. We hope you enjoy these stories about Martha Beatty, "Pioneer Educator," and 6 year old Willie Meade, both interred at our historic cemeteries.
Click to watch Martha Beatty's story.
Click to watch little Willie Meade's story.
Click to watch Martha Beatty's story.
Click to watch little Willie Meade's story.
New Blog Featuring Pioneer Cemetery Stories
Be sure to check out a new blog, Behind the Epitaph, provided by PCA volunteers and researchers! You'll find stories about our more colorful characters interred at the Pioneer & Military Memorial Cemeteries. You can "subscribe" to the blog posts to receive updates by providing your email on the right side bar of their blog.
Follow Us on Facebook & Instagram!
Join our team as we share short video stories about some of early Arizona pioneers! "Like" or "Follow" us on our social media sites by clicking the icons below! And you can ALWAYS send us email at pioneercem@yahoo.com - it's the best and fastest way to reach us! (click the envelope)
Inventory of Historic Arizona Cemeteries
Pioneers' Cemetery Association was proud to work with Arizona State Historic Preservation Office as part of the Arizona Statehood Centennial (2011-2012) to create an inventory of historic cemeteries around the state called the Arizona Memory Project. You can find access to this database here. A "historic cemetery" is one that is at least 50 years old and consists of one or more gravesites.
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. Thanks to John for his updated article of January 11, 2020 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.
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 Research 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!)
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 & HoursSmurthwaite 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 - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY BEGINNING JANUARY 2021 - Contact pioneercem@yahoo.com for details 10 AM-2 PM |
Pioneers' Cemetery Association - Phoenix, Arizona
Copyright © 2017 Website last updated October 20, 2021
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Contact Webmaster for website concerns.
All Rights Reserved.