Every summer during my childhood, our family embarked on cross-country road trips in our trusty minivan to visit my grandmother on the Oregon coast. Even then, I possessed a fascination with the macabre, a trait that, instead of being discouraged, was nurtured by my family into healthy outlets. This blog, in a way, is a continuation of that journey. Back in my teenage years, gravestone rubbing became my chosen pastime. Perhaps you’re familiar with this practice: carefully placing a large sheet of paper over a gravestone and gently rubbing charcoal across it to reveal the inscription and design etched in stone. In the early 2000s Oregon, it wasn’t unusual to find me walking from my grandmother’s historic hilltop house to the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery, a mere few blocks away.
Old gravestones in Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
The gravestones bore the marks of time, and the cemetery grounds were largely untended. As I explored, I discovered graves dating back to the 1850s, with clusters of deaths in single years, starkly illustrating the devastating impact of diseases on the early community. I spent hours reading and tracing gravestones, each telling stories of tragedy, resilience, and lives both short and long, some ending with poignant farewell messages. My enduring fascination with cemeteries truly began in this peaceful, historic spot.
Pathway in Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
Oregon cemeteries, in general, hold a special place in my heart, but the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery stands out, perhaps harboring more ghost stories than any other in the state. Its close proximity to the University of Oregon campus has undoubtedly fueled countless tales. Students frequently share accounts of eerie occurrences within its grounds, particularly after nightfall. Today, we delve into the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery, located just a short distance from the Gardiner Cemetery that so captivated my adolescent self. Whispers abound of unexplained activity, statues seemingly moving of their own accord, and benevolent spirits watching over those who venture through its gates in the dark.
A Historical Ground: The Origins of Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
The Eugene Pioneer Cemetery was officially established in 1872, marking the final resting place for numerous pioneers who bravely traversed the country in covered wagons along the arduous Oregon Trail. The name “Pioneer” deeply resonates with those acquainted with the cemetery, as its history is intrinsically linked to the very foundation and growth of Eugene itself over the decades. More than 4,000 individuals are interred within its boundaries, some figures of local renown, others less so, but its location adjacent to the University of Oregon campus infuses the cemetery with a vibrant folklore of ghostly legends and reported sightings within its wrought-iron gates.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) plot in Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
One particularly significant section within the cemetery remains a popular site for quiet contemplation and respect – the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) plot. This area commemorates 57 veterans, their families, and soldiers dating back to the Civil War era. At the heart of this plot stands a commanding twenty-five-foot statue of a Union soldier. Upon his passing in 1903, Union veteran John Covell stipulated in his will that his estate should fund the purchase and erection of this imposing statue. Carved in Vermont, it was transported by railway to the then-small town of Eugene, nestled near the Oregon Coast.
Ghostly Encounters: Tales of Hauntings at Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
Stories of the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery and its spectral residents are plentiful. One prominent legend centers around the GAR statue itself, said to animate and move during the night, standing guard over the iron-fenced burial ground. Reports extend to other statues within the cemetery, with University of Oregon students claiming to witness fleeting glimpses of marble figures shifting in the darkness. These phenomena are consistently reported to occur after sunset. Furthermore, numerous accounts describe sightings of ghostly women clad in white, silently patrolling the cemetery, diligently tending to the headstones and monuments, as if maintaining a vigil for the departed souls buried below.
The GAR statue at Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
The GAR statue and plot.
Perhaps the most frequently reported paranormal occurrence at the cemetery is the ethereal sound of bagpipes echoing through the stillness of the night. Students have recounted hearing this haunting music drifting across the gravestones while taking shortcuts to campus at dusk. Occasionally, the music even carries as far as the University grounds, prompting curious students to investigate. Yet, no earthly source for the music has ever been found; no bagpipes or living musician have ever been located within the cemetery. Some claim to have actually seen the bagpiper, dressed in full Scottish attire, only to watch him vanish into thin air before their eyes.
Legend suggests that the prime time to experience these spooky events is when the church bells across the street chime at 10:00 pm. Students sometimes gather near the cemetery as the bells toll, hoping the spirits will manifest upon this nightly signal. Even some University professors have acknowledged the hauntings, with one expert offering a positive interpretation, referring to the cemetery’s spirits as “The Good Dead” rather than malevolent entities. It seems the spirits residing in the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery are content in their afterlife and harbor no ill will towards visitors, students, or anyone else. They might even find amusement in playfully spooking the occasional college student.
Just be mindful of the 25-foot soldier – just in case his statue decides to take a stroll.
