Frank Abel Cemetery
3819 Lewis River Rd.
Woodland, Cowlitz County, Washington 98674
360-560-5118
FRANK ABEL CEMETERY...The Abel Cemetery is located on a stretch of upland about seven miles east of Woodland. Frank Abel, a pioneer settler in the Valley, donated the original tract of one acre of land. The oldest burial according to headstones was Mary McAferty, who died in 1873. There are about 450 burials in the original cemetery, although some of the graves are unmarked, most have headstones. However, in 1957 another acre was purchased adjoining the original tract. The old portion of this cemetery is nearly filled with graves of not only local residents, but of many from more distant points.
The Frank Abel Cemetery is about 7 miles east of Woodland on the Lewis River Road. Frank Abel, an early Lewis River Valley pioneer, donated the original one-acre tract of land. According to headstones, Mary McAferty, who died in 1873, is the oldest burial. There are currently about 450 burials in the original cemetery; although some of the graves are unmarked, most have headstones.
In 1955, Frank Abel Cemetery became part of Cowlitz County Cemetery District #2, and several additional parcels of land were added to the original cemetery. Frank Abel is currently the most frequently used cemetery in the Woodland area.
Prior to the 1950s, many local cemeteries did not have regular maintenance and were often overgrown with grass and weeds. The Washington State Legislature created laws to provide for local cemetery districts that would manage and maintain the cemeteries.
A cemetery district organized under Washington State Laws has the power to acquire, establish, maintain, manage, improve and operate cemeteries and conduct all of the businesses of a cemetery as defined by Washington State Law. A board of commissioners composed of three members manages the affairs of the cemetery district. The Commissioners are elected to six-year terms. Tax levies, other local taxes and the sale of lots support cemetery districts. Seven different cemetery districts are located in Cowlitz County.
Cowlitz County Cemetery District #2 is comprised of Frank Abel, Lone Pine, Kerns-Bozorth, and Yale Cemeteries along the Lewis River valley near Woodland, WA. It was formed on October 11, 1955. The district offices are located at the Frank Abel Cemetery. Cemetery Commissioners meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.
Cemeteries are places where people can find comfort, and Cowlitz County Cemetery District #2 is committed to providing and maintaining such a place.
Additional information: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/cowlitz/cemeteries/frankable.txt
