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The Dalles Pioneer Cemetery
( Click on image for an enlarged view:)

" Restore a grave site - don't let history vanish."

The original name was City graveyard or Pioneer City graveyard. It was sometimes referred to as the Bigelow graveyard. W.D. Bigelow donated the ground for the cemetery on June 14, 1860. This graveyard was used instead of the Indian Mission cemetery (16th Street between Garrison and Pentland streets) after 1860. It contains 2.12 acres.

The Pioneer Cemetery is located on Scenic Drive in The Dalles and is sorely in need of constant attention. Weeds, bushes, and undergrowth are threatening to overtake a large part of local history. The Society is anxious to restore each grave site and "not let history vanish". Work parties over the last few years have uncovered over a dozen old markers from the vegetation and soil that had covered them over time.

In addition to the annual effort to contain the vegetative growth, we hope to re-establish the fence around the cemetery, add signage and develop a brochure conveying the history of the site, and to erect a common monument inscribed with the names of all the people interred in this cemetery.

If you would like to contribute to this Pioneer Headstone project, please send your check to:

The Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society
c/o The Dalles Public Library
722 Court Street
The Dalles, OR 97058

Please mark your check "Pioneer Headstone Project". Our Society is a recognized charitable organization for which contributions are tax deductible. Thank you for your help and concern.

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WASCO-SUNRISE CEMETERY FUNDRAISING CONTINUES

Friends of Sunrise Cemetery at Wasco - Dewey Thomas, Pat Macnab, Marjorie Van Gilder, Mark Fields, Sherry Kaseberg and Theron Richelderfer - received timely and generous support for two projects that were completed in August 2002; the upgrading and automating of the irrigation system and the purchase of a riding lawnmower. Community members volunteered their time and expertise to operate the trencher and install pipe, sprinklers and the timer. Thank you, one and all!

The next project, upgrading the perimeter fencing using some of the current/historic fencing material with new posts - will cost about $4,500. For more information call Kaseberg at 541-442-5514. Checks may be made to Wasco Cemetery Association, a recognized charitable organization for which contributions are tax deductible...
P.O. Box 93, Wasco, OR 97065.