Eltopia Cemetery
310 Walla Walla Avenue
Eltopia, Franklin County, Washington 98541
Directions
Eltopia Cemetery is situated on the northwest edge of Eltopia, approximately 15 miles north of Pasco along U.S. Route 395. To reach the cemetery, head north on I-395. Take a left onto Eltopia West Road, crossing over the southbound traffic on I-395. Continue across the railroad tracks, pass the grain silo, and go up the hill. The cemetery will be on your right.
History
Eltopia, an unincorporated community in Franklin County, Washington, is a place steeped in history. The arid lands of South Franklin County were first inhabited by Native Americans, who traded with Lewis and Clark during their 1805 expedition through the Columbia Basin. The Eltopia Cemetery, a testament to this rich history, has been standing for generations, with the earliest recorded birth in 1816 and the earliest recorded death in 1881. The cemetery, surrounded by a chain-link fence that often succumbs to the wild growth of weeds, is a place of reverence and respect. While the residents diligently maintain it, their efforts are not full-time.
On 1 September 2003, Michael McCormick and Kris Wallace, two dedicated researchers, conducted a comprehensive survey of the Eltopia Cemetery. Compared with the cemetery’s burial records, their findings revealed 213 burial sites, although not all of them had identifiable information. The cemetery, with a history dating back to the early 1900s, was established on land donated by the Modern Woodmen Lodge.
Additional information
Visit the Eltopia Cemetery Website