From the mid-1960s up until Hillyard VFW 1474 began its major cleanup involvement, the cemeteries were neglected. Overgrown with weeds and trees, the place was a dumping ground for trash and old tires. The cemetery was also hit by vandals who made off with fencing and headstones and desecrated some of the graves. Paul Manly has asked for help in clearing and cleaning up of Evergreen and Rest Haven Cemeteries, and the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council has risen to the challenge and asking for help. These Cemeteries reside in our Organizations neighborhood and are full of Civil War soldiers. This is a project that should be near and dear to everyone.
If you wish to volunteer to help please meet at the following location and bring some of the equipment listed:
August 18, 2012 8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Gather at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Facility (Market &
Francis area)
ITEMS TO BRING: Gloves, Knee Pads, Rakes, Shovels, Pitch Forks,
Garden Hand Tools, Weed Eaters, Wheel Barrows, and a Metal Detector
if anyone has one.
History of Cemeteries: For the past 20 years, members of Hillyard VFW 1474 have been the main caretakers of Evergreen Cemetery, which is on the west side of Market Street just south of Mead. Now, they are the cemetery’s owners.
Recently, the deed for the almost 14-acre site was handed over to the Hillyard Evergreen Cemetery Association – a group formed mainly by VFW 1474 members. Paul Manly is the newly appointed director and caretaker.
Manly said there are 12 marked Civil War soldiers’ graves at the Hillyard Evergreen Cemetery and many more Civil War graves with missing headstones. About 400 graves are spread out over the hillside north of Hillyard, and the earliest ones date to 1909, when the cemetery was opened by the Hillyard Masonic Lodge.