Pioneer Cemetery

Pioneer Cemetery Historic Marker

Carson City's first cemetery was began around 1860 on land belonging to Matthew Culbertson Gardner, a prominent figure in the lumber and logging industry. In later days, many of the graves were moved to the Lone Mountain Cemetery, and only five markers remain today.

The Pioneer Cemetery is also the original resting place of Major William Ormsby, who in May 1860 was killed during an ambush by Paiutes at Pyramid Lake. The following month, a scout named William Allen was also killed by Paiutes and was the last casualty of the Pyramid Lake War. Both were interred at the Pioneer Cemetery, but Ormsby was later moved by family to New York.

Today the Pioneer Cemetery is surrounded by homes at the end of Carson City's 5th Street and at the base of C Hill. Only five graves are marked (if the Ormsby/Historic Marker is counted), though several other burials are on record.

Carson City
Carson CityWest Side Historic DistrictPioneer Cemetery

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