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Central Point Cemetery (IOOF Cemetery)
Central Point, Jackson County, Oregon
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| Central Point Cemetery |
Hamrick Rd
Central Point, OR 95702
GPS: 42.386334, -122.891995
T37S R2W Sec 1
Published: Dec 08, 2005
Last edited: May 23, 2017
Total records = 1,909.
To reach this cemetery take Exit 33 off Interstate Highway 5. Turn north on Hamrick and proceed approximately 1/2 mile. The cemetery will be visible on the right hand side.
History
The Central Point Cemetery is a 7.5 acre, non-denominational, site consisting of three sections: Old, 1st Addition and 2nd Addition. A 3rd Addition was also added in 1922 but was never used and has since be undedicated.
Although it is unknown as to who owned the land or when the Old section was set aside for a cemetery, the first burial dates back to 1866. Many references are made to the year 1868 as being the official start of the cemetery, but this writer has yet to find documentation to confirm that date. Old plat maps laying out the blocks, roads and walkways date back to April 1892 but numerous burials are documented before that date. History on the 1st Addition dates back to November, 1883 at which time the Haskell's deeded land to the Central Point Cemetery Association. In November, 1888 the Hoaglund's also deeded land to the Association. These two pieces were laid out in blocks, roadways and walkways on a plat map dated in August 1908. The 2nd Addition was established in January, 1922 according to a plat map with that date. No other information is known. The Central Point Cemetery Association remained in control until December, 1922 at which time they transferred the responsibilities to the IOOF and the cemetery became known as the Central Point IOOF Cemetery. The IOOF cared for the cemetery until 1991 at which time they sold it to the Central Point Masonic Lodge. The cemetery's name returned to Central Point Cemetery, the original name. The Masons still tend to the cemetery as of 2005. This is still an active cemetery with several burials each year.As is the case with many old, non-perpetual care cemeteries, the condition of the cemetery has declined through the years. The cemetery generates very little income to hire maintenance workers as most of the grave sites were sold many years ago.
For several years after the Central Point Masonic Lodge purchased the site, 700 students from Scenic Middle School donated their time semi-annually to help with weeds, bushes and debris in the cemetery as part of their civic class. As school budgeting tightened the middle school could no longer afford to transport the students and the Masons lost their valued assistance.
Unfortunately, many of the Central Point Masonic Lodge members are at an age they no longer are physically able to perform maintenance and cleanup, so the cemetery's condition is on the decline. Articles have been in the local newspaper and attempts have been made to appeal to the local citizens to help cleanup and preserve this site but little to no interest has been found in the community.
Cemetery Records
1,561 markers have been read and recorded through multiple onsite inspections. Around 1960 burials have been identified, some with unknown names. Because of the very sketchy records it is felt there are many, many more burials in this location that will probably never be identified. The cemetery is quite walkable year round although weeds, berry vines, burrs and squirrel holes are in abundance. Many tombstones are in poor condition due to age, weathering and vandalism.This transcription has been completed by onsite surveys of headstones which was completed in December, 2005 and includes burials through Dec 07, 2005. In addition old notes, minutes and ledgers, many of which are in very poor condition, have also been researched to complete this listing.
Records Index:
