Pioneer Cemetery Marker

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Lawrence in Douglas County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Pioneer Cemetery
Established 1854

Pioneer Cemetery Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Thomas Onions, June 28, 2009

1. Pioneer Cemetery Marker

Inscription. This Cemetery, known originally as Oread, was opened in 1854 by the New Englanders who founded Lawrence. Following burials in 1882, Oread fell into disuse. In 1928, the City of Lawrence changed the name to Pioneer Cemetery.

The marble obelisk near the center of the grounds is a monument to T. W. Barber, an Ohio abolitionist shot by pro-slavery men during the Wakarusa War in December 1855. Barber was memorialized by John Greenleaf Whittier in his poem, "Burial of Barber." Eighteen military headstones in the northern section mark graves of members of the 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry who died of typhoid in 1862.

The largest number of early burials occurred following Quantrill's Massacre at Lawrence on August 21, 1863. Most of these were re-interred in Lawrence's Oak Hill Cemetery. Gravestones of four victims still remain.

In 1953, The Kansas University Endowment Association assumed ownership, and in 1968, the cemetery was reopened.

Today, Pioneer is the final resting place for early settlers, soldiers of the Civil War, and faculty, staff and friends of The University of Kansas.

Location. 38° 57.189′ N, 95° 15.695′ W. Marker is in Lawrence, Kansas, in Douglas County. Marker can be reached from Irving Hill Road 0.2 miles

T.W. Barber Headstone Photo, Click for full size

By Thomas Onions, June 28, 2009

2. T.W. Barber Headstone

south of Ruppenthal Drive. Click for map. Pioneer Cemetery is over the bridge from the dorms on Irving Hill Road and south of the parking lot for the Leid Center. Cross Irving Hill Road and walk towards the trees. This marker is is at the west entrance to the cemetery. Marker is in this post office area: Lawrence KS 66045, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Unknown Dead (a few steps from this marker); Free State Hotel (approx. 1.8 miles away); Lawrence (approx. 1.8 miles away); Lawrence Veterans' Memorial (approx. 2.5 miles away); Citizens Memorial Monument (approx. 2.7 miles away); Stony Point Church and Cemetery (approx. 9.2 miles away); Trail Park (approx. 11.9 miles away); Baker University (approx. 12.8 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Lawrence.

Also see . . .
1. Burial of Barber. Wikipedia link to the text of the poem "Burial of Barber" (Submitted on July 3, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
2. Campus Markers and Memorials Directory. This is the official University of Kansas link to the memorials on campus including Pioneer Cemetery. (Submitted on July 3, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
3. Civil War Archive - Wisconsin. This link shows the duty stations of the 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. (Submitted on July 3, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)