History of Pioneers' Cemetery Association
Our organization's name, Pioneers' Cemetery Association (PCA), was chosen to reflect our interest in all of Arizona's historic cemeteries.
The original Pioneers' Cemetery Association was formed in 1938 for the purpose of preserving the seven historic cemeteries near the State Capitol Complex. These cemeteries, which now comprise the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park, were in use from 1884 to 1914 and hold the remains of many of Phoenix's pioneering families. Founding members of the PCA included Barry Goldwater, Frank Alkire, Walter Bimson, Carl Hayden and Thomas Hayden, among others. The research of this group formed the basis for the present PCA.
Although the original PCA disbanded at the outbreak of World War II, it was revived in 1983. Charter members of the revived Pioneers' Cemetery Association included Algona and Philip Winslow, Darton Harris and Dan Craig, all dedicated researchers.
Activities of the Association
Algona Winslow began contacting families of decedents as early as 1975. Since then, PCA volunteers have researched and compiled a list of burials that took place in these cemeteries. The list has been published on this website as a service to the public. Volunteers are currently working on a similar list for Cementerio Lindo, the first Maricopa County Cemetery. Over the years, the PCA's interests have expanded to include other historic cemeteries around the state. Its project for Arizona's Centennial year was the compilation of the Inventory of Arizona's Historic Cemeteries (IAHC), a list of all cemeteries and grave sites in Arizona that are more than fifty years old.
The PCA engages the public through on site tours, special events and exhibits. Our volunteers interview descendants of those buried in the cemeteries, facilitate the research of others, and provide educational presentations to community groups about cemetery history, recording and preservation. PCA members also visit other historic cemeteries throughout the state, sharing insights about the history of the local area as seen through its cemeteries.
The offices of the PCA are located in the historic Smurthwaite House at 1317 W. Jefferson Ave., Phoenix, AZ. The PCA has a working association with the City of Phoenix to maintain and improve Smurthwaite House and the cemetery grounds. In conjunction with the City of Phoenix and other historical associations, the Pioneers' Cemetery Association has presented an annual Memorial Day observance for the general public since 1983.
The original Pioneers' Cemetery Association was formed in 1938 for the purpose of preserving the seven historic cemeteries near the State Capitol Complex. These cemeteries, which now comprise the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park, were in use from 1884 to 1914 and hold the remains of many of Phoenix's pioneering families. Founding members of the PCA included Barry Goldwater, Frank Alkire, Walter Bimson, Carl Hayden and Thomas Hayden, among others. The research of this group formed the basis for the present PCA.
Although the original PCA disbanded at the outbreak of World War II, it was revived in 1983. Charter members of the revived Pioneers' Cemetery Association included Algona and Philip Winslow, Darton Harris and Dan Craig, all dedicated researchers.
Activities of the Association
Algona Winslow began contacting families of decedents as early as 1975. Since then, PCA volunteers have researched and compiled a list of burials that took place in these cemeteries. The list has been published on this website as a service to the public. Volunteers are currently working on a similar list for Cementerio Lindo, the first Maricopa County Cemetery. Over the years, the PCA's interests have expanded to include other historic cemeteries around the state. Its project for Arizona's Centennial year was the compilation of the Inventory of Arizona's Historic Cemeteries (IAHC), a list of all cemeteries and grave sites in Arizona that are more than fifty years old.
The PCA engages the public through on site tours, special events and exhibits. Our volunteers interview descendants of those buried in the cemeteries, facilitate the research of others, and provide educational presentations to community groups about cemetery history, recording and preservation. PCA members also visit other historic cemeteries throughout the state, sharing insights about the history of the local area as seen through its cemeteries.
The offices of the PCA are located in the historic Smurthwaite House at 1317 W. Jefferson Ave., Phoenix, AZ. The PCA has a working association with the City of Phoenix to maintain and improve Smurthwaite House and the cemetery grounds. In conjunction with the City of Phoenix and other historical associations, the Pioneers' Cemetery Association has presented an annual Memorial Day observance for the general public since 1983.
Smurthwaite House
The historic Smurthwaite House, designed by James M. Creighton and built in 1897 for $2,875, is an excellent example of Shingle style architecture. In addition to the Rosson House, it is one of the few remaining nineteenth-century buildings in Phoenix.
Originally intended for use as a boarding house, it was sold in 1903 to Captain Trustrim Connell and his wife Anne as a private residence. In 1938, Anne Connell deeded the house to Caroline Smurthwaite whose husband, Charles, was a collector and dealer in Native American art. Their daughter, Carolann, owned the house until her death in 1982, when her will requested that it be preserved and enjoyed by the public.
The house was donated jointly to the Phoenix Art Museum, The Museum of Northern Arizona and the Heard Museum. The three museums then offered it to the City of Phoenix, which currently maintains the house and the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park adjacent to it.
In 1991, the Heritage Fund approved a grant of $50,000 to restore Smurthwaite House. In 1994, the 3,000-square-foot dwelling made a landmark journey of 26 city blocks from its original site at 602 N. 7th St. to its current location at 1317 W. Jefferson St. Restoration work began in May 1998 and was completed in June 2001. On May 17, 2001, Smurthwaite House was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The first floor of the house is furnished in late Victorian style, thanks to generous contributions by donors. Smurthwaite House serves as an archival library for information regarding historic cemeteries throughout Arizona and also as the headquarters for the non-profit Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc.
For additional details and a timeline about the Smurthwaite House, please refer to the file below. And be sure to enjoy the video created by City of Phoenix with the assistance of Pioneers' Cemetery Association's own Judy Smith and Vivia Strang!
Originally intended for use as a boarding house, it was sold in 1903 to Captain Trustrim Connell and his wife Anne as a private residence. In 1938, Anne Connell deeded the house to Caroline Smurthwaite whose husband, Charles, was a collector and dealer in Native American art. Their daughter, Carolann, owned the house until her death in 1982, when her will requested that it be preserved and enjoyed by the public.
The house was donated jointly to the Phoenix Art Museum, The Museum of Northern Arizona and the Heard Museum. The three museums then offered it to the City of Phoenix, which currently maintains the house and the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park adjacent to it.
In 1991, the Heritage Fund approved a grant of $50,000 to restore Smurthwaite House. In 1994, the 3,000-square-foot dwelling made a landmark journey of 26 city blocks from its original site at 602 N. 7th St. to its current location at 1317 W. Jefferson St. Restoration work began in May 1998 and was completed in June 2001. On May 17, 2001, Smurthwaite House was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The first floor of the house is furnished in late Victorian style, thanks to generous contributions by donors. Smurthwaite House serves as an archival library for information regarding historic cemeteries throughout Arizona and also as the headquarters for the non-profit Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc.
For additional details and a timeline about the Smurthwaite House, please refer to the file below. And be sure to enjoy the video created by City of Phoenix with the assistance of Pioneers' Cemetery Association's own Judy Smith and Vivia Strang!
| Smurthwaite House |
National Register of Historic Places
Both the historic Smurthwaite House and the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park have achieved National Register of Historic Places status. Smurthwaite House was added on May 17, 2001, and the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park was added in 2007.
The National Register of Historic Places is an official listing of buildings and sites considered worthy of preservation because of their historical, architectural, archaeological or cultural significance. Administered by the National Park Service, the National Register accepts only those properties which meet rigorous and uniform standards. A listing in the National Register benefits historic properties by making them eligible for certain Federal tax benefits, grants for purposes of historic preservation, and special consideration in the planning of Federal or federally assisted projects.
The National Register of Historic Places is an official listing of buildings and sites considered worthy of preservation because of their historical, architectural, archaeological or cultural significance. Administered by the National Park Service, the National Register accepts only those properties which meet rigorous and uniform standards. A listing in the National Register benefits historic properties by making them eligible for certain Federal tax benefits, grants for purposes of historic preservation, and special consideration in the planning of Federal or federally assisted projects.
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Copyright 2017-2024
Contact Webmaster for website concerns.
All Rights Reserved