Cemetery

Jacksonville's Historic Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Pacific Northwest and one of the few that has remained in continuous use since being dedicated in 1860.

With the first official burial of the remains of Mrs. Margaret Love, in October of 1859, it is one of the oldest and largest historic cemeteries in the state of Oregon and contains some of the earliest pioneer grave sites in all of Southern Oregon. Its 32 acres currently contain over 5,615 grave sites divided into different sections. They include the Jewish (Hebrew), and Catholic sections, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Independent and Improved Order of Red Men and the City of Jacksonville's portion which has been added to over the years. It remains an active cemetery and is registered as a part of Jacksonville's National Landmark Status, as well as with the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries.

Jacksonville Cemetery Records: A History

Ora Strom compiled the records through 1979 from stones in the Jacksonville Cemetery (many broken or damaged), sexton, church, lodge records, information from funeral homes, and newspaper obituaries. Those who have followed in this endeavor are grateful to Ora for her dedicated efforts to save a very important part of our history. As these records were original handwritten, typed, photocopied again and again, corrected again and again, by humans, there will undoubtedly be human errors. We apologize. Please contact the City of Jacksonville, Cemetery Sexton, with any corrections.

As with all historic cemeteries burials were dug by hand and bodies were transported in a wagon drawn by horses or oxen. The burial of the dead was a arduous task both because of the grief, but because of the physical labor required. The location of plots and the documentation for them is as accurate as history and our good intentions.