In 1966 the Fredonia Homemaking Class, headed by Mrs. Caroline Carlley, undertook the daunting task of beautifying the Fredonia Cemetery. Up to this point families were responsible for the upkeep of their own grave sites, but overall, the cemetery was in disarray. The fence needed fixing, the gate allowed stray livestock to wander about and very few graves were receiving care.
The Fredonia Cemetery metal arch (left) erected in 1966 stood for nearly 60 years before being removed due to damage and replaced with the new arch pictured above (right). Photos courtesy of Daisy Johnson.
Classmates Melanie Jensen, Linda Sue Jensen, Stephanie Cusick, Nedra Syme, Arda Vee Henrie, Dianne Mackleprang and Charleen Johnson applied for and received a grant of $70 from the Sear’s Foundation to aid in their endeavors. With the assistance of the community, the class was able to raise additional funds to pay for a metal arch marking the entrance to the cemetery.
According to History of Fredonia, Arizona - 1885-1985 (copyright 1986, Town of Fredonia, Arizona), “Bill Cusick and Wimp Lathim constructed this arch in the shop of the Kaibab Lumber Company. Lowell Ford built a natural stone abutment, on pillars, for the arch. Kaibab Lumber Company donated lumber for the fence repair and grave markers. The boys in the school shop, under the supervision of Miles Farr, shaped the grave markers and Mike Homes routed out the letters ‘Rest in Peace’ on those markers. Mrs. Tina Cram Church donated a cattle guard and the city paid for its installation …”
The Fredonia Cemetery metal arch erected in 1966 stood sentinel for nearly 60 years before being removed as a result of devastating damage. Dirk Ballard and Kenny Johnson spearheaded the efforts and spent countless hours building a replacement arch. Large enough to allow machinery to easily pass under, and strong enough to guard the entrance another 100 years, this new metal arch gives a nod to those gone before with its simple design and incorporation of the original stone abutment.
