Pioneer Cemetery stands as a silent testament to the early days of Boise, Idaho. As the city’s oldest cemetery still in use, located just north of Warm Springs Avenue, its grounds began to serve as an unsanctioned burial site shortly after the area was settled in 1863. This humble beginning laid the foundation for a landmark that would eventually become the final resting place for some of Idaho’s most influential figures.
Official records from Ada County indicate that the land encompassing Pioneer Cemetery was part of a 120-acre parcel granted to Michael Keppler, a local businessman, through a Federal Land Grant Patent in 1868. Keppler then sold the land to John Krall, another local entrepreneur, in February 1869. Even with private ownership, a portion of the property continued its function as a public burial ground. This informal arrangement transitioned into a more organized structure in 1872 when Krall sold a 5-acre section to two prominent fraternal organizations: the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. These lodges intended the land to serve as a dedicated cemetery for their members and families.
Following this purchase, Ada County Surveyor P.W. Bell formalized the cemetery layout with a platt map dated October 1, 1872. This map designated distinct areas within the cemetery for each lodge, an arrangement that would govern the cemetery’s administration for the next 48 years. The Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges shared the responsibility for the cemetery’s upkeep during this period, dividing the maintenance expenses.
However, as time progressed, the costs associated with maintaining Pioneer Cemetery began to rise. Simultaneously, the establishment of the newer Morris Hill Cemetery in 1882 catered to Boise’s expanding population, drawing attention and resources away from Pioneer Cemetery. The financial strain of operating the Masonic Cemetery became increasingly burdensome. Ultimately, the Odd Fellows took a significant step in 1920, deeding their section of Pioneer Cemetery to the City of Boise on June 1st. Since then, Boise Parks and Recreation has undertaken the responsibility for the cemetery’s care and preservation.
Pioneer Cemetery officially has 1,796 marked graves, but the actual number of interments is likely much higher. Record-keeping for deaths in Idaho was inconsistent until the 20th century. Furthermore, not all deaths were consistently reported in newspapers, leaving grave markers and mortuary records as crucial sources for identifying early burials. The very first burials were often handled privately by families or friends, and many early grave markers, especially those made of wood, have succumbed to time and vanished.
Despite the loss of some historical records, the earliest documented burial within Pioneer Cemetery is that of Carrie Logan. She was the daughter of Thomas and Caroline Logan, who passed away on August 22, 1864, on the Camas Prairie at the young age of five years, 11 months, and five days. Her grave marker stands as the oldest legible one within the cemetery, a poignant reminder of Boise’s pioneer era.
Walking through Pioneer Cemetery today is like reading a biographical index of Idaho’s formative years. Among those interred are eleven former Boise mayors, eight Ada County sheriffs, and five past Idaho governors: Edward A. Stevenson, George L. Shoup, Frank W. Hunt, Robert E. Smylie, and Cecil D. Andrus. The stories associated with these community leaders, along with countless others buried here, contribute to a rich and vibrant narrative of Boise history. Recognizing its importance, efforts to preserve this historical landmark have grown over the years.
For a considerable period, Pioneer Cemetery suffered from neglect and underuse. A fence originally erected by the lodges disappeared, and headstones were subjected to theft and vandalism. The relentless exposure to weather over a century and more has also taken its toll on many of the remaining headstones. However, in 1990, marking the centennial, the Boise Metro Rotary Club and the Parks and Recreation Department collaborated on a significant restoration project. This initiative involved installing a new perimeter fence and developing an interpretive park area just outside the cemetery grounds, signaling a renewed commitment to preserving Pioneer Cemetery for future generations as a vital piece of Boise’s heritage.
