Some of the first burials at this site were in the late 1880's while this was private land. B.T. Shelton got a homestead exemption for 120 acres which included this site in 1888. A patent from the U.S. Government was obtained and recorded in 1891. The first plot map for the cemetery was recorded in the Routt County Court House Oct. 24, 1900. It included 60 lots 20' X 20' and a "Potters Field" 20' X 266'. This first recorded plot was approximately 1.20 acres. On this plat it states in part:.."and does hereby designate and name the same, "The Hayden Cemetery", granting the perpetual right of way to the public over the drive way and walks as represented in the plat hereto attached." It was signed by Byron T. Shelton, notary was Ezekiel Shelton (his father) and E. (Ezekiel) Shelton also signed as the surveyor. The first addition to the cemetery was in 1915. B.T. Shelton was still the owner and with this addition doubled the size of the cemetery. This addition was for 120 lots (10' X 20') in the same lay out as the original site. Land records show that in 1929 B. T. Shelton deeded 4.94 acres to the "Cemetery". In 1937 he deeded an additional small tract to the cemetery. Additional lands have been donated by the Miller and Barnes families. The Hayden Cemetery is now over 12 acres and very well maintained. The current condition of this site is due to the efforts of many individuals and the community of Hayden.

In a story (T23) from the History of Hayden and West Routt, Robert Temple states that one of the first burials was that of Professor Whyte, who was a school teacher in the Hayden area in 1888. During the early years several other people who passed away were buried in the same location. Many of these early burials can not be identified, due to the loss of many early records.

Research is continuing to identify as many burials in this site as possible. There are several ethnic groups represented in the Hayden Cemetery. There are two cement crosses for two Mexicans, two large monuments for Japanese that died in Hayden. One of these is for a man named Nagata, who died in 1918 during the flu epidemic. There is a section that was purchased by the coal company of Mt. Harris that was for the "colored". There are no stones in this section, but research has identified 18 African- Americans buried in this cemetery. In the future, an effort will be made to erect a monument to these individuals.

For more information on the Hayden Cemetery refer to stories T23 and T24 (pg28) in the first addition of the History of Hayden and West Routt County 1876 - 1989.

ROUTT COUNTY CEMETERY: #RT793
COLORADO HISTORICAL SITE: #5RT793
LOCATION: South of Routt County Road 37
BURIALS: 1335 burials with 1335 inscribed stones from 1885 to 2004
CONDITION: 597 ft x 948 ft in excellent condition, with metal fence and sign
USGS QUAD MAP: MT. HARRIS, COLO. 7.5 1971; UTM 13; 309620 mE 484720 mN
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: T6N R88W 6th PM; SW4, SW4, NE4 SEC 10

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

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