Grave markers in the Columbia Cemetery during the Spring, with flowering trees.

Grants Awarded

Columbia Cemetery- Pioneer Cemetery- Pioneer Gateway

Boulder County

The Pioneer Cemetery in Boulder was established by the Columbia Masonic Lodge in 1870, and is Boulder’s oldest permanent cemetery. The cemetery is home to a wealth of 19th and 20th century funerary art of exceptional value and craftsmanship.

2013-01-030

With SHF funding, the city of Boulder repaired 53 grave markers as part of ongoing restoration at Columbia Cemetery.  Of the nearly 3,000 grave markers, over 300 have deteriorated due to age, ground settling, and vandalism.

Damaged gravestones have been braced with T-posts and rope, laid down, or even moved off-site temporarily to protective storage to prevent further degradation.  Over the past decade, with the help of SHF grants, 246 gravestones to date have been fully repaired and returned to the site.  The grave markers at Columbia Cemetery date primarily from 1870–1940, including those of Civil War Veterans.

A cemetery during fall with trees changing color and a mountain in the background.

Columbia Cemetery- Pioneer Cemetery- Pioneer Gateway
 

Photo courtesy of the SHF grant application

2017-01-003

This grant helped fund the restoration of 30 historic grave markers.

This site is listed on the National Register.

Grant Applicant Organization(s)

City of Boulder

Fund

Acquisition and Development (SHF)

Grant Awarded

$70,000

Grant Number

13-01-030

Year Awarded

Grant Applicant Organization(s)

City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department

Fund

Acquisition and Development

Grant Awarded

$45,000

Grant Number

17-01-003

Year Awarded