Saar Pioneer Cemetery
91st Street & South 212 Way
Kent, King County, Washington
Also known as Kent Cemetery • Kent Methodist Cemetery • M.E. Cemetery • Nelsons • O’Brien Cemetery • Peter Saar Cemetery • Peter Saar Memorial Cemetery • Pioneer Methodist Cemetery • Springbrook Wilson’s Corner
October 1, 1873, former King County Councilman Peter Saar was unable to bury his wife Margaret Saar when she died because there were no established community cemeteries in the White River Valley at that time. Hence, he buried her on a grassy knoll on their property. When neighbors and friends began passing away, they were given permission to be buried on Saar's homestead. This was the beginning of the first cemetery in the White River Valley. During the next 76 years, approximately 141 people, including five Civil War Veterans, were buried at the homestead, which is now called the Saar Pioneer Cemetery. The cemetery is surrounded on three sides by a Winco Foods parking lot and the fourth side is bounded by South 212th Street next to the Valley Freeway (State Hwy 167). Saar Pioneer Cemetery is a small cemetery surrounded by a black chain link fence. There are many people buried in Saar Pioneer Cemetery without a headstone.
Driving Directions:
Heading south on Hwy-167 to Kent, take the S 212th exit and turn east (left) onto S 212. You will see the intersection/light at 91st Pl S where the Winco Foods driveway is. Turn left into the cemetery parking lot before this intersection. Heading north on Hwy-167 through Kent, take the S 212th exit and turn left onto S 212th, the cemetery driveway will be the first driveway on the right, past the Winco Foods driveway. Enter the cemetery on 212th.
(text provided by J. Prewitt, 2/3/11)
Additional information: https://digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1566
Visit the Saar Pioneer Cemetery Website
