The Cordova Cemetery Association was incorporated in February of 1855 after there
was a purchase of a five acre plot of land east of the town. The Association was composed of the owners of the
lots in the cemetery and doubtless as was the custom of the day, the care of the lots was the responsibility of
the owners.
In 1879 a wooden fence was erected along the front of the cemetery and a wire
fence around the rest. This not only defined the area but kept the livestock from the surrounding farms away from
the cemetery plots. The tool house, built in 1897, no longer stands today.
The oldest grave recorded on a headstone is 1845. Since the records prior to 1881
were lost, the earliest recorded sale of a lot is 1880.
A curious headstone is that of 17 year old Jeremiah J. Pearson which states that
he died on February 31st! This is a mystery since no February has 31 days.
Many early pioneers and their families are buried in this cemetery. Thanks to
the cemetery association, many improvements have been made and it has been extremely well maintained over the years
and is a beautiful part of the community.
The cemetery records are maintained by Vernon Hazlett and may be found at interment.net
Volunteer Jerry Guinn photographed most of the headstones in 1999 and those photos
are available at the Cordova District Library.
