From the Historical Guide to Routt County: Pagoda was founded in 1890 by Horatio H. Eddy, early cattleman, lawyer and state senator. The post office and general store were established in February 1890 by James Bennett, whose family continued both operations until 1947. As stated in this brief profile the cemetery still exists and in fact is still used. There have been several burials since this article was written.

In an article that was printed in the Craig Courier Jan. 1, 1925, we glean the following information: Mr. Wadsworth and W.S. Deal and family arrived on the Williams Fork August 20, 1886. Mrs. Hart and sons, W.W. Hart and James Hart, located the same week about six miles up Waddle Creek. Charles Harper was already on the place owned by A.L. Durham. Mr. Harper died in March of 1922. I think that he was the first settler in this neighborhood. Henry Davis, half Cherokee and half negro, and his negro wife were our neighbors. They had been slaves and had assumed the name of his master. Mrs. Davis died in May 1888; the first death in our community.... (Note: this grave has not been located.)

The summer of 1887 brought many people; James Peck, Mrs. Nancy Searcy, James Bennett, J.P. Moran, Mrs. Bee Dayton, Mrs. Dunstan and sons, also the Dicks family and the Haricks and Johnsons. In August of 1887 this area had an Indian scare. Many of the families left the area for awhile, but then returned to continue their lives.

In 1891 a school house was built just above Pagoda. Mrs. Brown was the first teacher, Miss Rosella Johnson the second. Two graves (Mrs. Buckner and Mrs. Hart) are near it. The students kept fresh flowers on those graves all summer long for many years. (Note: Refer to Buckner/Hart Grave Site #5RT795). Students rode as far as seven miles to attend this school.
Land records show that James Bennett got a patent on his land in 1900. There is also an entry for James Bennett for 160 acres in 1903. Mr. Bennett deeded the land for the cemetery to the Pagoda Cemetery Assn. in 1922. The cemetery is currently maintained by the West Routt Cemetery Board.

Some of the family names represented in this cemetery include: Bennett, Butler, Castle, Clark, Colt, Cummings, Dorey, Dunstan, Greenhow, Hamil, Heron, Johnsen, Johnson, Jones, Kelly, Ledford, Lewis, Lightner, McClurg, Mora, Murray, Parfrey, Proo, Robson, Sandercook, Saunders, Scott, Sines, Sorelle, Starr, Sullivan, Voloshin, Warren, Washburn, Weber, Willard, Wise and Zendron

ROUTT COUNTY CEMETERY: #RT790
COLORADO HISTORICAL SITE: #5RT790
LOCATION: 350 ft North of Routt County Road 29
BURIALS: 78 burials with 70 inscribed stones from 1900 to 1988
CONDITION: 556 ft x 472 ft in good condition enclosed with a metal fence, sign in good condition
USGS QUAD MAP: PAGODA 7.5 1971; UTM 13; 294890 mE 4468070 mN
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: T5N R89W 6th PM; W2, SE4, NE4, SE4 SEC 31; E2, SW4, NE4, SE4 SEC 31

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

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All materials contained on these pages are furnished for the free use of those engaged in researching their family history. Any commercial use or distribution, without the consent of the author of these pages is prohibited. All images used on these pages were obtained from sources permitting free distribution, or generated by the author, and are subject to the same restrictions/permissions.