In Lewis County, four historic cemeteries preserve stories of pioneers, missions, and communities that helped shape the region. Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis, Fern Hill Cemetery south of Chehalis, Saint Francis Xavier Mission Catholic Cemetery near Toledo, and Boistfort Cemetery in Curtis each carry unique ties to local history and family heritage. These cemeteries are more than burial grounds; they are enduring landmarks where residents and descendants can connect with Lewis County’s past.
Claquato Cemetery: A Legacy of Pioneer Dedication
142 Stearns Road, Chehalis
Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis stands as one of the most prominent historic cemeteries in Lewis County. Founded by Lewis Hawkins Davis, who donated land in the 1850s, the cemetery began with the burial of young Mary Spinning in 1856. Over the decades, Claquato grew through additions by the International Order of Odd Fellows and eventually through the Claquato Cemetery Association, formed in 1920. This nonprofit association established an endowment fund to ensure the cemetery would always be adequately cared for, with directors volunteering their services.
The cemetery’s grounds reflect the dedication of the community. In the 1920s, a Women’s Auxiliary helped enhance the site, adding irrigation from the Chehalis River and creating the “Baby Rose Garden” for infants. The “Pioneer Tree,” a large fir dedicated in 1937, remains a landmark within the cemetery. Over time, Sunset Memorial Gardens was added and later merged into Claquato, creating one unified site of nearly 70 acres. Today, the cemetery remains a lasting symbol of pioneer heritage, community stewardship, and serene beauty overlooking the Chehalis River valley.
Fern Hill Cemetery: Community Roots and Endowed Care
1441 Bishop Road, Chehalis
Just south of Chehalis, Fern Hill Cemetery carries forward a legacy that began in the late 1800s. The site was initially known as Chehalis Cemetery and later as Urquhart Cemetery, named for the family who contributed significant land to its expansion. By 1920, the cemetery was formally deeded as Fern Hill, established as a nonprofit organization.
Families across Lewis County have deep roots here, with some burials dating back to 1861. Many pioneer families chose Fern Hill for their final resting place, reflecting its importance to the community. The cemetery is sustained by an “irreducible fund,” which ensures that maintenance and care will continue through interest, donations, and a portion of lot sales. With burial plots designed to accommodate multiple generations, Fern Hill Cemetery blends practical planning with the preservation of local heritage. Its rolling grounds serve as a quiet memorial to those who shaped Chehalis and the surrounding communities.
Saint Francis Xavier Mission Catholic Cemetery: A Missionary Beginning
139 Spencer Road, Toledo
Near Toledo, the Saint Francis Xavier Mission Catholic Cemetery is recognized as one of the oldest continuously operating cemeteries in the Pacific Northwest. Established in 1838 by Catholic missionaries on the Cowlitz Prairie, the cemetery traces its origins to an earlier Hudson’s Bay Company agricultural station dating back to the early 1830s. This historic ground became part of the first Catholic mission in the region, predating Washington’s statehood.
The mission’s founders, including Father François Norbert Blanchet and Father Modeste Demers, built a chapel, laid out the cemetery, and began serving both settlers and Native communities. The first recorded burial occurred in 1839, and many of the earliest pioneers in the area are believed to be interred here. Stories of devotion endure, including that of Father Van Holderbeke, who gave his life during a fire at the mission church in 1901 while protecting the Blessed Sacrament. Today, the cemetery remains a sacred landmark where faith, sacrifice, and history meet.
Boistfort Cemetery: Family Names and Community Memory
2413 Wildwood Road, Curtis
In the small community of Curtis, Boistfort Cemetery was formally established by Edward and Mary Harris in 1888 and officially recorded in 1889. Located within the Turner R. Roundtree Donation Land Claim, the cemetery was carefully designed with 27 blocks, each containing multiple lots and access alleys. The organization of the grounds reflects thoughtful planning typical of the late 19th century.
Many of Lewis County’s earliest families rest at Boistfort Cemetery, including the Harrises, Roundtrees, Sweeneys, and others who contributed to the growth of the area. Each plot and family name tells part of the story of settlement in the Boistfort Valley. Though smaller in scale than some cemeteries in Chehalis and Toledo, Boistfort Cemetery is no less significant. Its preservation highlights the enduring importance of family ties and local memory in Lewis County’s rural communities.
Claquato Cemetery, Fern Hill Cemetery, Saint Francis Xavier Mission Catholic Cemetery, and Boistfort Cemetery each carry a unique place in Lewis County history. From pioneer families to missionary beginnings, these cemeteries are places where heritage is carefully preserved and stories are never forgotten. For descendants, residents, and local historians, visiting these cemeteries is an opportunity to honor the past, learn about Lewis County’s early communities, and experience the peace that these historic grounds continue to provide.
