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.
Thanks for Attending Our Recent Open House Events!
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A huge thanks to our Pioneers' Cemetery Association veterans for their service! On November 10, each was presented with a certificate of thanks and a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin for those that served in the Vietnam War era. Volunteer and PCA military research expert, David Jackson, shared a slideshow created about many of our interred who have served in wars. This is a work that continues in development and is likely to lead to future program opportunities! We're also grateful to our guests who arrived for tours of the lovely Smurthwaite House and the historic city cemeteries!
The weather was perfect for an evening in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, October 27! The cemeteries sparkled in the cafe lights - refreshments were plentiful - the authors were generous with their time and expertise! Reenactors helped to set the mood of the evening by portraying those interred in the cemeteries and featured in PCA's book Pioneer & Military Memorial Park of Phoenix. Thanks to all who took the time to enjoy the evening with us! Our next event is our member Christmas party to be held Saturday, December 8. Become a member TODAY for details about this special event! |
Thanks to Our New Grave Marker Preservation Volunteers!
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The Grave Marker Preservation Committee would like to thank all the new and old volunteers who came out to work in the cemetery the weekend of OCTOBER 27-28, 2018. The crew worked diligently both days, focusing on matching coloring, filling in cracks, removing pins and drilling, chiseling, learning to lift small and large stones, and maintained safe practices in the PMMP Cemeteries. They worked very hard both days and refused to leave until the work in Porter Cemetery was completed. Thanks again for all your hard work! What a stellar team!
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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.
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.
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.
New Book - Pioneer & Military Memorial Park of Phoenix
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Get YOUR COPY of the LATEST book by Pioneers' Cemetery Association story tellers! Books ARE NOW available for only $23.99 and may be purchased on any Thursday at Smurthwaite House 10 a.m - 2 p.m., contact us at pioneercem@yahoo.com to make local arrangements for shipment or pick-up, or purchase through our new online store! All proceeds of purchases made through PCA go toward our mission of historic preservation.
Per our publisher, Arcadia Publishing and The History Press: "Pioneer & Military Memorial Park exists to honor the legacies of early residents buried in seven historic cemeteries established in 1884 and closed in 1914. Henry Garfias, a popular and prominent lawman, once served the town as constable and marshal. Rose Gregory, one of Phoenix's most colorful forerunners, is remembered as a benevolent madam. Charles Posten was once regarded as the 'Father of Arizona.' And the tragic death of Letitia Rice led to a hasty trial and acquittal before being ruled accidental. The Pioneers' Cemetery Association delves into the past and brings to light the movers, shakers and regular folks who built this incredible desert city." |
Thanks to City of Phoenix & Dept. of Corrections!
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Mother Nature can be cruel some days! We DO live in a desert. All of that blowing dirt we see as a precursor to monsoons? We supervise desert cemeteries. Over time, the top soil blows away to the point of even revealing burials. We've been blessed with AMAZING rains this season! Soil shifts - water settles occasionally. All of this has created a LOT of weeds at our fair cemeteries and a need to add a few layers of dirt to maintain the dignity of our interred.
PCA collaborated with the City of Phoenix Southside Parks & Recreation and the Department of Corrections for two work days in October. EXCELLENT progress was made in restoring the cemeteries to their clean appearance! Thanks to all for your assistance! We couldn't do it without you! |
Way to Go, Eagle Scout Candidate & THANKS, Piestewa Peak DAR!
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Our many thanks to our latest Eagle Scout candidate for creating this BEAUTIFUL Memorial Walkway in front of Porter Cemetery! Don't you just LOVE the bench alongside of it generously donated by Piestewa Peak Chapter, NSDAR! This makes a lovely, quiet spot under the trees to reflect and pay respects.
Stay tuned for details of how YOU can become a part of this lovely walkway! We're in the process of making pavers available for you to have a loved one or a group's name etched as a memorial tribute. You'll want to be a part of the opportunity to be a part of Phoenix history! We LOVE to work with our Eagle Scout candidates on project ideas! Contact us at pioneercem@yahoo.com to see what we can work on together! |
Ways to Support Preserving Phoenix History
There are MANY ways you can support Phoenix history and Pioneers' Cemetery Association!
P.O. Box 33192
Phoenix, AZ 85067
- Did you know.....PCA is a 501(c)(3)? Your tax donations are greatly appreciated! Receipts are certainly provided for your records. Donations can be mailed to:
P.O. Box 33192
Phoenix, AZ 85067
- You can contribute while shopping on Amazon! We're a partner of the Amazon Smile program. Click on the link below to select Pioneers' Cemetery Association as your donor organization. When you #StartWithaSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. Bookmark the link https://smile.amazon.com/ch/86-0462117 and support us every time you shop.
- We're always on the look-out for grant funds we may qualify for. If you know of any, please contact us at pioneercem@yahoo.com!
- We have a TON of GREAT IDEAS of ways to grow and expand awareness of our cemeteries and Phoenix history! We need YOU to volunteer YOUR time and talent! Contact us to review how YOU would like to become part of our team of volunteers!
- One of our primary sources of income is simply membership dues - become a member today and stay informed!
| Membership, 2019 |
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 & 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 10 AM-2 PM |
Pioneers' Cemetery Association - Phoenix, Arizona
Copyright © 2017 Website last updated November 16, 2018
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All Rights Reserved.