American Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project
Internet
Presentation
Version 111508
Palace Station, AZ
Cemeteries (2) Update
Photo by: Bonnie
Helten
November 11, 2008 found six Arizona Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project
Coordinators in downtown Palace Station, AZ.
Bonnie Helten,
Maryann Wunderlin,
Gary Grant
Beckie Grant
Kevin Hart
Neal Du Shane
converged to research the Historic Palace
Station Cemetery.
History researchers have identified seven individuals interred at this cemetery.
Only one marker is currently being preserved, that of R.J. Lambuth. Other
attempts to indentify individual graves have been accomplished by outlining the
graves with rocks and placing wooden crosses as markers. Indicating there is
great deal of care and affection for the individuals interred here. This is an
extremely peaceful and tranquil setting.
Photo by: Kevin Hart
When we arrived, Bonnie and Maryann had traversed from the West coming up from
Wickenburg. They were in the process of identifying several graves. To our
surprise the graves they found were some 300’ from where we found the fenced
enclosure with the indentified graves. The grave of Alfred B. Spence was identified northwest of
the helipad; strangely these are not in the Palace Station Cemetery. It was
verified by several members of APCRP that he wasn't in the enclosed cemetery
even though he is listed on the reader board.
Photo by: Kevin Hart
We also verified that Matilda Spence
is buried in the area northwest of the heliport and Kevin verified. The reader
board says Matilda was living in Prescott when she died in 1929. Those
were the only names verified by the heliport, however there are several more
unmarked graves in this area.
Photo by: Bonnie
Helten
The reader board marker at the gate leading into the Palace Station Cemetery
giving a brief history of those eight individuals interred here. Our staff was
able to identify the individual graves of the eight interred from the names
listed on the marker.
As our research continued within the fenced enclosure we were able to identify
39 graves in total. Of these 20 were
unmarked graves, the vast majority were children under that age of six years
old.
As we were leaving the fenced area we identified four more graves outside the
fence to the NW corner. It is very possible with more research exploration there
are additional graves outside the fenced area.
The number of graves is realistic based on the fact Palace Station was a stage
stop between the Peck Mine and Prescott. Many of the interred may have been
travelers simply passing through. Palace Stations was also a social gathering
point for the miners in the area. In total we indentified approximately 42
graves, equating to a population of approximately 400 people living within a one
or two mile radius of Palace Station during that era. The high mortality rate of
children in the cemetery reflects an epidemic of some sort.
In total our group started in Black Canyon City, passing through Crown King then
followed the Senator Highway toward Prescott. Round trip we logged 138 miles
requiring 8 hours. Maryann and Bonnie logged 5 hours total in their trip. A
closer and more direct route can be accessed coming down from Prescott.
Consideration will be forthcoming to place headstones on the six graves we
identified by name and presently have wooden crosses but no identification as to
who is buried in the grave.
The cemetery layout map above depicts what we believe to be the placement of the
graves at the Palace Station Cemetery based on our infield research. Some of the
graves are not as squarely laid out as depicted, however their locations are
accurately placed.
American Pioneer
& Cemetery Research
Project
Internet
Presentation
Version 111508
WebMaster: Neal Du Shane
Copyright ©2003-2008 Neal Du Shane
All rights reserved. Information contained within this website may be used
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All contents of this website are willed to the American Pioneer & Cemetery
Research Project (APCRP).