Forest Grove Cemetery
18011 Northcraft Rd. S.E.
Tenino, Thurston County, Washington 98589
360-264-2716 or 360-481-3316
Also known as Skookumchuck or Tenino Cemetery
Directions
The cemetery is located south of Tenino at the intersection of Northcraft Rd. S.E. and 180th Ave. S.E. on the east side of Northcraft Rd.
History
The cemetery, a historical landmark, is nestled between the coaling towns of Tenino (formerly known as Skookumchuck) and Bucoda. These towns, both railroad and mining stations, were founded in southern Thurston County during the early territorial period. The first burials, a testament to the region’s rich history, date back to the 1860s. The earliest recorded death, that of Edward Morsbach in 1874, is a poignant reminder of the past, as documented by Find A Grave. Bucoda, the largest of the two towns in the 19th century and the site of the first territorial prison, was the primary location for these early burials.
The Forest Grove Cemetery Association in Thurston County was established in 1896, and in 1918, the cemetery was transferred to the City of Tenino. Since around 1920, interments have also included residents from several small communities in Thurston County. In addition to the marked graves of several thousand individuals, it is believed there may be an unmarked mass grave for the burial relocations of territorial prison inmates on the property.
Management of the cemetery was under the City of Tenino until 1938 when the Forest Grove Cemetery Association resumed administration after its formation. The association managed the cemetery until 2011 when the land was deeded back to the City of Tenino. The cemetery expanded from its oldest sections on the north side, which feature upright markers (many of which are New England-style slate stones imported from Eastern marker firms), to the newest sections on the south side, where flat and pillow markers are found. Many of these markers are now considered historic. In 1990, the Olympia Genealogical Society canvassed the cemetery, and cemetery records were made accessible through the local sexton.
The Forest Grove Cemetery Association has integrated several graves from local cemeteries. One significant relocation occurred in 1996 when the Tenino Catholic Cemetery moved its graves and subsequently built a memorial featuring the names of those whose graves were relocated.
In terms of popularity, the Forest Grove Cemetery Association ranks first among the two cemeteries in Tenino. It holds the second position in Thurston County, which has a total of 24 cemeteries. Additionally, it is ranked 40th out of 212 cemeteries in Washington State and 2,866th nationwide in the United States.
Additional information
Tenino Forest Grove Cemetery Tour Not a Fright Fest
