OCR Text |
Show -N E W S- Spanish Fork Covering what matters most WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2007 • A7 Restoration planned for historic Spanish Fork cemetery I f you're looking for the grave of an early pioneer to Utah your search may prove difficult, if not impossible. Early settlers to Utah were busy trying to survive as they wrestled with the elements, disease, starvation and hostile natives. Most did not have the time or resources to erect burial monuments or keep accurate records that would stand the test of time. For that reason many early burial sites were subsequently lost, abandoned or neglected. Such is the case for, the historic Spanish Fork pioneer cemetery. Most people in Spanish Fork are aware of the present city cemetery location, but many are unaware the first cemetery was at a different location. The first pioneer cemetery was off Canyon Road and at the end of 1400 East. At this site on the bluff of a hill overlooking the river bottoms area, the first burials were made while settlers were living in dugouts. Eventually the site was all but abandoned, and then farmed and used to graze cattle. In the 1940s the Daughters and Sons of the Utah Pioneers erected a monument at the.site with a plaque that listed 15 names because no complete list of the burials survived. The area around the cemetery is presently being developed into a subdivision and restoration efforts are in full swing. Janene Baadsgaard is working with the Pioneer Ridge Estates developers, Spanish Fork City and the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers to restore this site for the estimated 60-75 people buried there. "The Spanish Fork Pioneer Cemetery is a wonderful historical treasure," Baadsgaard said. "We plan to restore the cemetery and also turn the surrounding site into a beautiful memorial garden with a walking path, landscaping, historical displays and a plaza with a bronze statue. We want to finally give the first settlers who lived and died here the honor and respect they deserve." Because no known complete record of all the burials at this site survives today, Baadsgaard is also heading up a drive tofindall the names by asking residents to search their family histories for names and death dates of anyone living in the Spanish Fork/Palmyra area during the early settlement years. If they are not listed in the sexton's record at the present cemetery, they can be presumed to be buried at this site. "Some records list this area as Palmyra and some as Spanish Fork," Baadsgaard said. "Also, some records refer to the first burial site as the old, east, upper, Redd's, or the pioneer cemetery, but all refer to the same location." Baadsgaard says that every time she discovers a new name to add to the list, it's like finding a piece of *• '-"s . ' . . • - Spanish Fork Historic Cemetery Courtesy graphic BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT: The above map demonstrates plans for landscaping at beautification at Spanish Fork's historic pioneer cemetery. gold. She would eventually For years, all the old like tofindthe names of every headstones were presumed person buried there and create lost or destroyed, but a list for others to reference. Baadsgaard discovered many She has been busy collecting headstones had been used in names, stories and histories the monument erected at the about the early settlers, and site. They will be carefully wants to present the DUP removed and restored as part museum and Spanish Fork of the project. City with a collection of "For all these years, all her findings when they most of the people buried are complete so they will at the pioneer cemetery be available to everyone have remained unknown," interested in the information. Baadsgaard said. "We owe a lot to these people. It's time to know who they are and honor them." Those with information about people who' may be buried at the pioneer cemetery are invited to contact Baadsgaard at 801-7988295. Names, information and histories can be sent to her at 6494 South 1800 East Spanish Fork, Utah 84660. The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers will have a table at the city park during the July 24 Pioneer Days celebration displaying an artist's rendition of the new memorial garden design, and invite residents to stop by to take a look, ask questions or make donations. Tax deductible donations to help with the restoration project and a bronze statue can also be sent to Cemetery Fund, D. U. P. at Utah South Center Company, P.O. Box 37, Spanish Fork, UT 84660.. •-• EVMILY SPITAL Aunounces m me openi of our new doggy day care Courtesy photo HISTORIC MEETING: Pictured, left to right, are Eva Mae Kimber, Janene Beverly Lewis, company president, Anna Mellor, Grace Le Baron, Dalene Hurst, Lake Shore DUP members. FFA fundraiser BBQ Monday — Friday 8:00 a.m. - 9 p.m. Hourly, daily, and package rates 489-MEOW (6369] Supporting youth has never been so tasty! The Spanish Fork FA Chapter, in cooperation;' with Carhartt clothing and IFA Country Stores, is proud toannounce a fundraising barbecue June 20th, 21stf and 23rd at the Spanish Fork IFA store. Come and join us each day tan 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as we offer hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks. All of the proceeds from the barbecue will go to support our chapter members and reward their hard work with scholarships to attend National FFA Convention this October. Are you a former F A member? Come and sign our guest book and share your stories of how the FFA influenced your life. Stories will be collected and then put on display during FFA week in February and our chapter banquet in May. ; National Honor Roll recognizes local students The National Honor Roll recognizes highachieving high school and middle school students. The following names are those from Spanish Fork High School who received this honor: Amy E. Bartholomew, Benjamin; Katie M. Combs, Salem; Mallory C. Herbert, Spanish Fork; Jeffrey D. Robins, Spanish Fork; and Rick Stone, Salem. "Young people such as our inductees, who work hard to attain academic success, deserve to be congratulated," says Lynn Romeo, Publisher of the National Honor Roll. "Honoring their achievements provides motivation, and encourages them to continue striving toward their goals." For students in the 2006/2007 school year, National Honor Roll set aside $25,000 to be shared among 25 of its qualifying inductees. All members are entitled to compete for these National Honor Roll Awards for Academic Achievement, which will be awarded in December. The National Honor Roll contacts potentially V • qualifying students after reviewing information about their academic performance. Each student is asked to submit information about his/ her GPA, interests, activities, and future goals. Only students with a B or better average are eligible to be listed in National Honor Roll. Two-thirds of the inductees in the 2006-2007 National Honor Roll averaged an Aor better; one-third averaged B through B+. • For more information, visit www.nationalhonorroll. org. V |