Clustered serenely on 15 acres of woods and hills, 25 separate, but adjacent cemeteries form the Roslyn Historical Cemetary. Since 1887, land was donated by or was purchased from the Northern Pacific Company by fraternal ethnic and civic organization for burial of their deceased members. At least 24 nationalities are represented within the nearly 5,000 graves.
Burial customs from those countries can be observed today. Many graves seem to be above the ground due to the placement of curbings. It was not uncommon to have a "footstone" placed with the hope that in more affluent times a headstone could be purchased and erected. The ornate and picturesque fences around some plots were originally erected to protect the site from foraging cattle and wildlife.
The Italians and Yugoslavians especially, used elaborate markers. Icons of the departed, pictures encased in ceramic and embedded in the tombstones, were used quite frequently. A new method of adding a likeness of the deceased to the stone is photo etching. There are several fine examples of this in the Memorial Garden section of the cemetaries.
In part, the uniqueness of the Roslyn Historical Cemeteries is that for most sections, the perpetual care existed only as long as the participating organizations or families were around to provide the maintenance.
The cemeteries were listed on the National Historic Register in 1978.
In appreciation:
The partnership of the 1986 local High School History class
Roslyn Kiwanis Club
Burial customs from those countries can be observed today. Many graves seem to be above the ground due to the placement of curbings. It was not uncommon to have a "footstone" placed with the hope that in more affluent times a headstone could be purchased and erected. The ornate and picturesque fences around some plots were originally erected to protect the site from foraging cattle and wildlife.
The Italians and Yugoslavians especially, used elaborate markers. Icons of the departed, pictures encased in ceramic and embedded in the tombstones, were used quite frequently. A new method of adding a likeness of the deceased to the stone is photo etching. There are several fine examples of this in the Memorial Garden section of the cemetaries.
In part, the uniqueness of the Roslyn Historical Cemeteries is that for most sections, the perpetual care existed only as long as the participating organizations or families were around to provide the maintenance.
The cemeteries were listed on the National Historic Register in 1978.
In appreciation:
The partnership of the 1986 local High School History class
Roslyn Kiwanis Club
It is rare to see a local picture showing original immigrant costumes as most immigrants that settled here left their costumes in the old country. The only surviving costume is in the Cle Elum Museum. The weave in the costume often identified the village you came from in the old country. Pictured from left to right; front row unknown, Ann Ranko, 3rd to 7th unknown, Elizebeth Jaco Parkenson. Second row are Julia Feyko, unknown, Mrs. Chea, unknown, Mrs. Yurine, 6th and 7th are unknown. Third row John Verb, Mr. Bendz, Mr. Seresun, Mr. Chea, unknown, Mr. Renco. Top row, unknow, Mrs. Sam Maybo.
Lodges in the local area did not originate in the old country. When a member passed away, members close to the family would prepare the grave while the body lay in state in the family home. Lodge badges would be reversed as shown on the left as a sign of mourning by the lodge membership. The wife would wear black for nearly a year as a sign of mourning. Buried in the Roslyn cemetaries one will find the Croatian wife of an Italian next to her spouse in an Italian cemetary and Italians may rest on a hill with Croatians.
On May 10, 1892, the No. 1 mine exploded, killing 45 miners. The City Hall on the right became a morgue where each lodge claimed its members. Lodges are lined up on Pennsylvania Avenue for the solemn march to the cemeteries. Several headstones in the area contain notations on the disaster. Killed were: Harry Campbell, John Bone, David Reese, Benjamin Ostliff, Thomas Reese, William Hague, Thomas Brannnen, Pres. Loving, Leslie Pollard, Thomas Holmes, George Moses, J.D. Lewis, Tom Mattoes, Robert Spotts, Sidney Wright, Herman Diaster, Jack Hodson, Frank Amney, Wm. Robertson, Gwo Brooks, Joseph Browitt, Dan McClellan, John Foster, Michael Hale, Mitchel Ronald, John Lafferty, Winford Steele, Robert Graham, Jas. Hewitson, Jacot Weatherly, Jas. Morgan, P.H. Davis. Dom Bianco, Wm. Penall, Joseph Cusworth Sr. Joseph Cuswowrth Jr. In 1909, No. 4 shaft exploded killing 10 miners.
The Sokola Lodge was organized by Mr. Sabich who came to Ronald in 1914. All total, 23 Yugoslavs were organized into a men's gymnastic team along with a women's group. The groups performed gymnastic tricks with accompaning Yugoslav songs in and around the Ronald area. During World War I (1914-1919), many of the lodges organized fundraisers to help their suffering countrymen in their country.
The Catholic Church in Roslyn played a major role in local immigrant life. Most of our Slavic and Italian brothers and sisters were members of the Catholic Church. It was not unusual in the local area to have church services in Slavic. When Easter arrived, immigrant families would take food to be blessed by the priest. Today the custom has all but disappeared. Pictured are several lodges preparing for a march from the Catholic Church C. 1899.
Map of Roslyn Historical Cemetary
Click to enlarge
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Click here for text of Coal Mines Trail Kiosk
