New Year's a Comin'- Old Can Become New

 

Cassie Smith - First Buriel at PMMP

When the decision was made in 1884 to move the old Phoenix cemetery to its present location, it was based on the fact that the original cemetery was “unprotected, barren and desolate” according to the Arizona Gazette.  Phoenix was growing, and to have an unkempt cemetery, viewed by newcomers arriving by train, was not a good recommendation for the city.

The cemetery was moved after much effort to 13^th Avenue and Madison Street.  What is now known as City/Loosley, Masons, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellow, and Ancient Order of United Workmen came into being.

The article in the Arizona Gazette (July 21, 1884) described the cemetery ground as “easily irrigated and shade trees and shrubbery cultivated.”  Fencing was established around the perimeter.  Early photos of the cemetery show that the cemetery, even though in a desert, did contain numerous trees and plants.  Canals ran near the cemetery and water was more accessible.  The cemetery expanded up to Jefferson Street, adding Rosedale and Porter.

Time passed and neglect once again set in.  The cemeteries at 13^th Avenue and Jefferson closed in 1914.  What was once new, was now old and forgotten.  Interest in the cemetery faded.  Trees, shrubbery and water dried up.  The fencing slowly disappeared, along with many gravestones.  It became that unprotected and barren cemetery again.  The City even thought to move it in 1935, but found the expense was too great.

A group of citizens wanting to preserve the history of the cemetery started the original Pioneers’ Cemetery Association in 1938.  Without their early efforts to protect what remained of the cemetery and locate records, there would still be a forgotten cemetery.

Progress can be slow when you don’t have an unlimited budget and manpower.  Since 1938, we have slowly seen the cemeteries come to life again.  We are again seeing trees, fencing, and shrubbery added or replaced, along with gravestones being up-righted, repaired or replaced.  Interest in the cemetery has been a hard fought battle to maintain.

Cemeteries are a history of the place and its people, and the accomplishments and struggles that were overcome.  The struggle will always be to keep what is now new and fresh from becoming old and faded once again. -Patty G.