Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Farr Cemetery

Directions

This cemetery is located on a hill adjacent to Sunnyside Park in the southwest part of town and can be accessed in two ways. The first route is from the north end of City View Street. Take the walking path approximately 200 feet down the hill, and you will find the cemetery on the left side. The second route begins near the intersection of Skyline Drive and Fountain Street. This path is well-maintained but can become slippery and muddy during wet conditions.

History

Farr Cemetery, a picturesque and historically rich site, is a testament to the pioneer era. The journey to this gem is an adventure in itself, as you navigate a narrow path that leads uphill, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Upon reaching the top, you are greeted by marble gravestones from the 1800s, each telling a unique story. Notably, one of these graves belongs to Dr. Henry Jacob Webb, the first doctor in Whitman County, a figure of great significance. The cemetery also holds the resting place of many children who tragically succumbed to measles and typhoid, a poignant reminder of the past.

Despite its overgrown appearance, Farr Cemetery is a local treasure, offering a serene view and a sense of mystery. Its history, shrouded in the mists of time, predates the surrounding streets, making it a fascinating subject for exploration. The lack of documented history has led to intriguing theories, such as the belief that early wagon-train pioneers buried their deceased along the trails, creating challenges for later settlers and colonists who followed.

Established by an initial settler, Farr Cemetery allows the deceased to rest peacefully. Despite its name, the cemetery is not home to any members of the Farr family; it is named after Mr. Bowlin W. Farr, one of the founders of Pullman. There is speculation that Dr. Webb donated the land. The cemetery appears smaller than it is; it covers a larger area than the fenced portion.

There have been troubling reports of vandalism, leading to the council’s decision to store the headstones in the city hall basement for years, where they were forgotten. Eventually, a new council discovered the headstones and questioned their presence. After conducting research, a fence was constructed to enclose the remaining stones, which were placed back in the cemetery. However, none of the headstones were returned to their original gravesites, as their locations were unknown.

The history of this cemetery has been quite controversial. Initially, I heard it was a burial site for horses, but I have found no evidence to support this claim. Still, if you visit Pullman, you may hear this rumor from locals. Due to various prejudices regarding the individuals buried there, people eventually stopped using the cemetery as a burial site. Some gravestones are enclosed within fences, and the death dates on the markers range from 1882 to 1904. The Farr Cemetery Index lists 39 individuals buried there, including Whitman County’s first doctor. This controversy has led to a lack of maintenance and documentation of the cemetery's history.