Pioneers' Cemetery Association

The Mission of the Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc. is to conserve and protect the historic physical remains, grave markers, artifacts, and buildings of Pioneer & Military Memorial Park and provide a safe, accessible community resource for present and future generations; to acknowledge, celebrate, and promote Arizona's Pioneer History, represented by those interred in Arizona historic cemeteries, through research, education, conservation, preservation, and community engagement.

Pioneers' Cemetery Association had its beginnings in 1938 when early Phoenix residents realized the importance of the seven cemeteries located at 1317 W. Jefferson. Grave Markers had been toppled and much of the cemetery was being lost to decay. Early residents such as Darell Duppa (who named Phoenix) and Jacob Waltz (The Lost Dutchman) are buried in the cemetery along with numerous veterans, early State, City officials and hard working common folk. Since that early group, PCA has evolved to continue to maintain, improve and preserve the cemeteries. PCA also was key in having the Smurthwaite House moved to the property in 1994, preserving another unique piece of Phoenix architectural history. PCA continues to research the people buried in our cemeteries, creating walking tours and educational material. We have become an outdoor classroom for ASU studies. Public events have been held, such as our Memorial Day celebration with veterans groups and open houses with a scavenger hunt to learn grave yard symbolism.