Saar Pioneer Cemetery Cleanup

This March 24th volunteer members of AGHOST and South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS) will gather at Saar’s Cemetery in Kent to help with the beautification and cleanup of the cemetery.

Saar Pioneer Cemetery was established October 1st 1873 when the wife of Peter Saar, Margaret, was buried on the family homestead. The cemetery expanded as other pioneers in the area buried family members there. In 1905 the cemetery was deeded to the local Methodist Church.

After many years the cemetery fell into disrepair. It came to the attention of SKCGS in 2004 when an article was published in a local newspaper. SKCGS members decided to put the cemetery back together, with Karen Bouton volunteering as the chair person. She received permission from the Methodist church that owns the cemetery to maintain it, and is now working to get it named as a Historical Landmark. SKCGS has been researching the history of all persons buried there, currently known to be 107, four of which are civil war veterans. They are also working on a biographical book that they’re planning to publish this year with a grant from 4Culture.

SKCGS also received a grant from AGHOST this year to help with the cost of maintenance and cleanup. Karen is hoping that we’ll find more headstones as the blackberry bushes are cleared out. If anyone would like to lend a hand, we’ll be there 11am March 24th rain or shine; so come out and join us!