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Don't wait, register & pay before it books out. These Saturday tours only occur 9 times each year.
The cemeteries at this location were not the first in Phoenix. During the 1870's, when Phoenix was still a small settlement, burials took place in the 'old' city cemetery which was located approximately between Fifth and Seventh Avenues and Jackson and Madison Streets, near the downtown train station.
After Phoenix incorporated as a city on February 25, 1881, citizens and community leaders became concerned that train passengers' first glimpse of Phoenix was a cemetery "right at the door of our beautiful city and in the most irregular, dilapidated, and disgraceful condition...a disgrace to the town" [Daily Herald, 27 May 1884].
Historic Smurthwaite House, built in 1897, is a Queen Anne single style home. The house, which was originally located at 602 N. 7th Street, was intended to be used as a boarding house. It currently serves as the office of the historic "Pioneer and Military Cemetery".
These historic cemeteries have about 600 markers left for the 3,700 named burials. Many of these stones are in various states of disrepair and in great need of preservative measures. Your event fee, which includes a tour of the Smurthwaite House & the 7 cemeteries, will be donated to the Gravestone Preservation Fund.
We will meet @ 9:45 am in the parking lot which is located S of Jefferson on the E side of Smurthwaite House. Arrive early for parking & sign in.If you would like to join us for lunch after the event, we will be eating at Cibo, located @ 603 N 5th Ave Phx 85003
Event hosts can be contacted at: PMMP@ComputerComprehension.com or 602-708-9691 (text only)
