Rosalia Lions at work at Pioneer Riggs Cemetery

Rosalia Lions club cared for the Pioneer Riggs Cemetery as a community project. The cemetery is located about two miles northeast of Rosalia.

In 1889 the plot of ground was donated to the community as a burial ground by Samuel Riggs. The cemetery is on a hill top with a 360 degree view of surrounding hills covered in the different shades of spring green and a beautiful view of Steptoe Butte.

The earliest marked grave is Willie Whitman, 1873 —- 1879. He was the son of the Whitmans who had the stage coach stop at that time. The last grave was for Donia Morgan in 1985.

The rigors of pioneer life took their toll, many deaths occurred and the number of infants and young children who died seems tragic. Eighty-two tombstones are in the cemetery, and there are many mounds that may be burial plots without markers.

Outlining the cemetery were many apple trees. Many, many different varieties grew there. A few of those hardy trees still stand.

In 1903 the IOOF Evergreen cemetery was plotted out nearer town with easier access, and many graves of the Riggs cemetery were moved. Gradually the old cemetery became practically forgotten and overgrown with weeds, rose bushes and lilac bushes.

Throughout the years the Lion’s Club has made great strides in trimming brush and mowing weeds. Each year the cemetery gets a face lift before Memorial weekend. Workers and donations are gladly accepted.