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, 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.
Fall Events at Pioneer & Military Memorial Parks
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We hope you'll join us for our special fall events!
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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.
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.
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.
Grave Marker Preservation Team - October 27-28 Training!
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Grave Marker Preservation is starting again at
Pioneer & Military Memorial Park (PMMP) and WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please come help preserve Arizona’s history! There are limited spots available for this FREE Grave Marker fieldwork training class. PLEASE RESERVE YOUR SPOT BY OCTOBER 25, 2018 This training is mandatory before doing any work on PMMP Grave Markers. The Grave Marker Preservation Project will be presenting this training class for new volunteers and a review for past volunteers interested in grave marker preservation on: Saturday, October 27, 2018. Training half-day then work in cemetery. Sunday, October 28, 2018. Full work day. Times: 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Place: 1317 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ We need volunteers to help us preserve grave markers. This will be “Boots in the Dirt” work. You will be walking, kneeling, stooping and lifting about 40 pounds. Please contact Cindy Lee, Chairperson, Geckofamilee@cox.net if interested. |
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 ad 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." |
Dia de Los Muertos Doll Painting - Grave Marker Preservation
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Our thanks to all who made our Dia de Los Muertos doll painting an amazingly fun day with friends! Your support will be utilized to provide training for our Grave Marker Preservation team to continue conservation efforts on our trickier deteriorating grave markers.
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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! |
Loss of a Family Member - E. Diane Sumrall
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Pioneers' Cemetery Association has lost a shining star.
E. Diane Sumrall, 75, passed away on July 13, 2018. Diane was born on October 13, 1942 to George and Imogene (nee Colley) Watt, in Watsonville, California. She spent her early teenage years in Bend, Oregon before moving to Phoenix in 1956. Diane graduated from West High in 1960 and Phoenix College School of Nursing in 1962. It was at Phoenix College that she met Don and they were married on November 9, 1961. The marriage is in its 57th year. She worked as an RN for 35 years at Maricopa County Health Center until her retirement in 1997. After retirement she volunteered at Pioneer Cemetery Association doing research and grave restoration. She and Don traveled to many states in their motor home doing genealogical research. She also traveled to Scotland to see her grandfather's house in Aberdeen. She was astonished at the good condition of the ancestral grave markers. She also made a trip to Ecuador visiting the tropics and to the Galapagos Islands. The Phoenix summers were too hot so the family bought a beautiful cabin in Heber. It overlooked the forest and at breakfast one could see the White Mountains. She always had her camera and always enjoyed taking pictures of wildlife and flowers. A beautiful life that ended too soon. Published in The Arizona Republic on July 22, 2018 |
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 October 15, 2018
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All Rights Reserved.
Contact Webmaster for website concerns.
All Rights Reserved.