The history of the Oak Creek Cemetery has developed as most cemeteries have developed, from need. The first dated burial in Oak Creek Cemetery is Era B. Johnson, July 15, 1900. It is possible that others were buried there before Johnson, but this is the oldest dated stone.

From the land records we find that Fred Sines got a homestead exemption for 160 acres from the US Government on Oct. 30, 1905. He received his patent on March 12, 1906. On Oct. 11, 1906 he sold to Manker & Merrill. In 1909 Manker & Merrill sold to Albert Schempp. Schempp sold to Wm. E. Hosking April 22, 1911, 2 acres. We should note at this time that W. E. Hosking was a funeral director for south Routt County. On July 17, 1911 among other transactions, including the addition of the Schempp subdivision, it shows a transaction giving two acres to the Crown Hill Cemetery. We are uncertain if this is the same two acres that Hosking owned, as it shows him selling two acres to Bailey & Piercen in 1912. Bailey sold his interest to Piercen in 1916. The next transaction relative to the cemetery was on Sept. 16, 1929. The R. C. Packing Co. sold 1/2 acre to the Neighbors of the Woodcraft #803. This probably accounts for the reference to an Oak Creek "Woodman of the World" Cemetery. The next transactions are not until 1962 when the Town of Oak Creek deeded land to the Oak Creek Cemetery District. About a month later, on May 8, 1962, the Neighbors of the Woodcraft #803 deeded their land (.5 acres) to the Oak Creek Cemetery District.

From the names and inscriptions in this cemetery a lot can be learned about the different nationalities that lived and worked in this area. The mining brought many to this area.

ROUTT COUNTY CEMETERY: #RT789
COLORADO HISTORICAL SITE: #5RT789
LOCATION: 1,200 ft east of HWY.#131
BURIALS: 1,218 burials with 1,218 inscribed stones from 1900 to 1994
CONDITION: 370 ft x 602 ft in good condition, enclosed with a metal fence
USGS QUAD MAP: OAK CREEK, CO 7.5 1969 UTM 13; 334540 mE 4459700 mN
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: T4N R85W 6th PM S 5, SE 4, NW 4, SE 4 SEC 32

© 2004-2008 Roger & Joyce Cusick
National Association for Cemetery Preservation, Inc.nacpinc@hotmail.com

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