Did You Know? Phoenix 1800s Veterans' Cemetery Owner: Lulu Porter

 

PCA Archives

Did you know one of Phoenix’s oldest veterans' cemeteries was owned by a woman in the 1800s?

Lulu Porter, wife of Mayor DeForest Porter, owned the southern half of Block 22 in Neahr’s Addition. This land would become Porter Cemetery.

The land was purchased by the Porters in 1887, although it was not denoted which of the Porter's owned it. DeForest Porter died in 1889, and Lulu moved his body from the Knights of Pythias Cemetery in 1890. She also reinterred her father there, James M. Cotten, a Phoenix pioneer. These burials marked the beginning of what would grow into a community cemetery.

Later, early city plat maps from 1891 labeled it “Mrs. Porter Cemetery,” recognizing Lulu as the owner.

Today, Porter Cemetery is one of the most historically significant parts of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park, not just for its founders, but for its veterans.

It holds nearly one-third of all military burials in PMMP.

To find out more, read "Histories of Pioneer Cemeteries in Phoenix, Arizona" by Ed Dobbins at the Internet Archive. 

Original Phoenix Township Cemetery Burials at City/Loosley Cemetery

 

Luke Monihon - Died 1879

City/Loosley - Block II Grave 6

Map - Ed Dobbins

Did you know that the Original Phoenix Township (OPT) Cemetery was moved?  The “Old City Cemetery” was between 5th and 7th Avenues, Jackson to Madison Streets.  By 1884, it was considered unsightly and too close to the growing business district.  

Ed Dobbins, one of our historians at the PCA, has shared the following in several talks:

"The new City/Loosley Cemetery in the current Pioneer and Military Memorial Park was opened in October 1884. It took three and one-half years to complete the transfer of burials from the old cemetery to the new in early 1888. We do not know the exact number of burials that were moved but Enrique Garfias was credited with exhuming 295 graves and John R. Loosley was reimbursed almost $700 for expenses he incurred removing an unspecified number of remains.

John R. Loosley, owner of Loosely Cemetery, contributed to the clearing of the OPT through newspaper advertisements appealing to the families and friends of those buried in the old cemetery. He offered liberal terms for lots in his new cemetery while informing the public of “the contemplated removal of occupants of the old cemetery to the city Potter’s field.” The grouping of pre-1884 graves in the northwest part of Loosley Cemetery may be evidence of responses to his advertisements. OPT burials were relocated to Blocks II, III, VI and X which were areas also favored for contemporary burials in the earliest years of the cemetery. 

After three years of discussions and proposals, the city in late 1887 decided to use its own employees to clear the OPT. Much of the work was accomplished in January 1888 by a crew supervised by Enrique Garfias, the first city marshal of Phoenix, serving at the time as City Zanjero. In April 1888 the OPT cemetery was declared cleared."

Stay tuned!!!  Who were the "original residents" of the old cemetery that were moved?  Find out here at Behind the Epitaph!

 

A Walk Through Time: Unveiling the Design of the Victorian Cemetery

 

Wilson, Digital Art

Cemeteries are more than just places where we inter our dearly departed; they are serene havens that offer peace and solitude. However, these hallowed grounds weren't always the lush landscapes we've come to know today. During the Victorian era, the concept of cemeteries and their designs underwent a significant transformation, resulting in the emergence of the 'Victorian Garden Cemetery.'

The Victorian era, spanning 1837 to 1901, was a period of profound change in societal attitudes towards death and mourning. As urban populations grew, so did the concern over hygiene and space in overcrowded church graveyards. This led to the development of large, suburban 'garden cemeteries' designed not only for the deceased but also for the living.

The concept of the garden cemetery was not merely a practical solution to overcrowding. It was an embodiment of the Victorian preoccupation with death, and the subsequent desire to commemorate and memorialize the departed in a manner befitting their social status and personal virtues.

The Victorian cemetery was designed to reflect the tranquility and beauty of an idealized landscape. Curvilinear paths wound through a picturesque tableau of rolling hills, meandering rivers, and large, mature trees. Beautiful, ornate mausoleums, chapels, and monuments adorned these scenic locales, creating an atmosphere more akin to a serene park than a burial ground. These spaces were as much about contemplation, remembrance, and public leisure as they were about internment.

The headstones and monuments of Victorian cemeteries were a testament to the era's intricate and symbolic craftsmanship. Much more than a means to mark a grave, these stone symphonies served to tell a story about the individual lying beneath.

From angels denoting innocence and ascension to heavenly peace, to hands pointing upwards symbolizing the journey of the soul, the symbols carved on the headstones were replete with meaning. The intricacy of design varied with social class and wealth, with the affluent commissioning lavish Gothic Revival or Classical styled mausoleums, while the less wealthy settled for simpler but no less poignant headstones.

Marble was a common material of choice for these headstones and monuments due to its luminosity and the relative ease of carving it. However, as time passed, the marble's susceptibility to weathering and erosion led to the shift towards more durable materials like granite.  

and Not everyone could afford an elaborate headstone, so wood, rock, and inexpensive materials were also used.  Unfortunately, these were not always durable.  In some cases, a headstone wasn't placed due to costs.  

The design of the Victorian cemetery was incomplete without its complement of carefully selected and strategically placed vegetation. The Victorians ascribed specific meanings to different plants, and these meanings were not lost in the design of their cemeteries.

Cypress trees symbolizing mourning, weeping willows representing sorrow, and rose bushes denoting beauty, love, and respect, were common features. These, combined with seasonal flowers, created a constantly changing panorama of colors and scents, contributing to the cemetery's tranquil ambiance.

The Victorian cemetery represents a vital chapter in the evolution of burial practices, reflecting the era's attitudes towards death, remembrance, and public space. Its design elements, from the carefully laid out landscapes to the symbolic headstones, continue to intrigue and invite exploration.

The Significance of the Pioneer Cemetery

Picture Created by Val (AI)

People often associate cemeteries with ghosts, zombies, and a multitude of other scary encounters.  However, the Victorian era encouraged the idea that cemeteries should be beautiful places in order to remember loved ones.  This can be seen in many cemeteries of the day that display intricate funerary art and architecture of the time period.

Pioneer cemeteries are a window to the past.  These cemeteries provide insights into the lives of the early settlers and their communities. By examining the headstones and markers, one can learn about the social and economic status of the people buried there, as well as their religious affiliations and cultural practices. Additionally, pioneer cemeteries can reveal information about mortality rates and causes of death, providing a glimpse into the health conditions of the time. 

In this way, pioneer cemeteries serve as a valuable resource for genealogists, historians, and researchers interested in understanding the history of a particular region or people.