In recognition of Veterans Day, we will be sharing the stories of the brave pioneers buried in Pioneer & Military Memorial Park who served our nation. Their courage helped shape Arizona’s earliest communities, and their sacrifices deserve to be remembered.
Join us throughout the month as we highlight their lives, service, and legacy.
Photo: Puck Magazine, 1899 - Library of Congress
Thank You for a
Meaningful Memorial Day at PMMP
A heartfelt thank you to The Brothers of Picacho Peak Camp
1, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for leading our powerful Flag
Raising ceremony on Memorial Day. Your continued commitment to honoring those
who served is deeply appreciated.
We are also grateful to all the volunteers who placed flags
on the graves, set up the Smurthwaite House, and helped prepare the grounds to
welcome our guests with dignity and care.
And thank you to everyone who joined us to observe Memorial
Day in such a special place. Among our visitors were King Woolsey’s
great-granddaughter and great-great-great granddaughters, who paid their
respects at his gravesite in Loosley Cemetery, a truly touching moment of
family legacy and remembrance.
You can see the opening speaker for the Flag Ceremony here: https://tinyurl.com/ycx7pmyf
Gettysburg Address and The Unknown Dead poem here: https://tinyurl.com/mry4s2zy
Let us continue to
honor the past as we preserve it for the future.
.HEIC)
.JPG)
🌟Join Us This Memorial Day🌟
Happy Earth Day from Pioneer & Military Memorial Park
Today, we honor the Earth and the grounds that hold the
stories of our past. Cemeteries like ours are more than resting places; they
are green spaces of reflection, peace, and preservation. 
Every tree, every flower, and every weathered stone is part
of a living landscape that connects us to history and to nature. By caring for
this historic cemetery, we’re also caring for our planet, conserving water,
native species, and protecting historical space in the heart of our city.
On this Earth Day,
we recommit to being good stewards of this land for those who came before us
and for those who will walk these paths long after us.
Pioneers' Cemetery Association: www.azhistcemeteries.com
March is Phoenix History Month! Last year, Mayor Kate Gallego declared March as "Phoenix History Month". How can you celebrate the history of Phoenix? For more information, check out the links/Instagram below:
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a
solemn holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and remembering the
men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally
known as Decoration Day, it began after the Civil War, which claimed more lives
than any conflict in U.S. history and necessitated the establishment of the
country’s first national cemeteries. On this day, many Americans visit
cemeteries and memorials to pay their respects, laying flowers and flags on the
graves of the fallen. It is a day of reflection and gratitude, marked by
parades, memorial speeches, and ceremonies that underscore the sacrifice of
those who gave their lives for the freedoms enjoyed in the present day.
Additionally, Memorial Day weekend also unofficially signifies the beginning of
summer, with families often celebrating with picnics, sporting events, and
family gatherings.
-Val
In Ireland, the month of March holds a special place in the
heart of its people, not only for the arrival of spring but also for the
celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 17th. This day, dedicated to the
patron saint of Ireland, transforms the country into a vibrant tableau of
green, with parades, music, and dancing taking center stage in towns and cities
across the nation. Beyond the festivities, March is a time when the Irish
landscape begins to awaken, with the first signs of spring breathing life into
the emerald countryside. It's a period of renewal and reflection, deeply rooted
in Irish culture and heritage, where ancient traditions and modern festivities
blend seamlessly. The month encapsulates the spirit of Ireland itself—joyful,
resilient, and richly steeped in history and tradition.
The 12 days of Christmas, which traditionally begin on December 25th and conclude on January 5th with the Feast of Epiphany, hold deep significance in Christian tradition and folklore. This period marks the time between the birth of Jesus Christ and the arrival of the Three Wise Men at the nativity scene. Each day of this period is associated with a specific symbol or gift, as famously depicted in the beloved Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Beyond its religious importance, this period has also been embraced as a time of celebration and festivity in many cultures. It serves as an extension of the Christmas season, allowing for continued merriment and gatherings with loved ones. The 12 days of Christmas encapsulate the dual nature of the holiday season, encompassing both its religious and secular dimensions, making it a cherished and enduring tradition celebrated by people around the world.
In these moments of reflection and celebration, we find comfort and joy in the enduring ties that connect us to our past and shape our future. In remembrance we will be highlighting 12 graves that are at the PMMP to honor 12 lives of Phoenix past.
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 13th 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 13th 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.
.jpg)
