Lakewood in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Western State Hospital Historical Cemetery, 1876-1953
Photographed by Beth Bowen, February 27, 2010
1. Western State Hospital Historical Cemetery, 1876-1953 Marker
Over 3,200 psychiatric patients from Western State Hospital were buried here from 1876 to 1953. Since then, burial has been elsewhere. The graves are marked with numbers for privacy reasons and the stigma of mental illness. These people worked on the award winning hospital farm and in other hospital areas and called the hospital "home". They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, children and many were veterans.
May they rest in peace, with dignity and respect.
Erected 2003 by Pierce County Parks and Recreation, Lakewood Historical Society and The State of Washington.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 47° 10.436′ N, 122° 33.536′ W. Marker is in Lakewood, Washington, in Pierce County. It is on Dresden Lane South West 0.1 miles north of Angle Lane South West, on the right when traveling east. Next to the off leash dog park, across from the big red historical barns. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lakewood WA 98498, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region and in Greater Seattle. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Military Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); Two-Story Log House (approx. 1.9 miles away); Lakewood Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); In Memory Of (approx.
this page online
Additional keywords. Fort Steilacoom
Photographed by Beth Bowen, February 27, 2010
2. Western State Hospital Historical Cemetery, 1876-1953 Marker
Photographed by Doug White, September 9, 2011
3. Western State Hospital Historical Cemetery, 1876-1953 Marker
Memorial marker added 2010 with wreath donated by Doug White for Remembrance Ceremony, September 19m, 2011.
Photographed by Beth Bowen, February 27, 2010
4. Western State Hospital Historical Cemetery, 1876-1953 Marker
Photographed by Beth Bowen, February 27, 2010
5. Western State Hospital Historical Cemetery, 1876-1953 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2010, by Beth Bowen of Lakewood, Washington. This page has been viewed 3,780 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2010, by Beth Bowen of Lakewood, Washington. 3. submitted on September 10, 2011, by Laurel Lemke of Lakewood, Washingtno. 4, 5. submitted on February 27, 2010, by Beth Bowen of Lakewood, Washington. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
