American Legion Cemetery in Othello
Othello, Adams County, Washington
Also known as Adams Cemetery.
The American Legion Cemetery is located in rural Adams County, about 3 miles north of Othello. It was established in 1906 on one acre of land in the SE corner of Sec. 14, Township 16, Range 20 (Sutton Road and Hwy 17). The cemetery is well-kept at this time (Feb 2006) but does have problems with erosion (sandy soil) and gophers.
American Legion (aka Adams) Cemetery is located northeast of Othello at the intersection of Sutton Road and Highway 17. The one-acre cemetery has a rich history, as many early families are buried there.
The cemetery has two stories as to its establishment. The one most commonly heard is that when Frances Adams died in December 1906, her husband Francis Adams set aside the corner of his property to be a cemetery. It was supposedly a harsh winter and they were unable to transport her body to the cemetery in Cunningham, where most people were interred at that time. It was at the new Adams Cemetery where she was buried, along with other early families in the area.
The second account was written by their granddaughter, who said the couple deeded the land to Othello in 1905 because there was no city cemetery. The land remained vacant until Frances died, at which time she became the first to be buried there.
Regardless of which account is correct, the little cemetery has a rich history. In addition to the Adams couple, other early families include the Bartons, Gochnauers, Mays, Morgans, Sanderses, Showalters and many more. Interestingly, the Adams children married some of the Showalter boys. When Francis could no longer care for the grounds, she passed the task to the Showalters. They were members of the American Legion and handed it over to that organization for care.
