Sparta Cemetery, Sparta, Oregon

Sparta was one of the earlier mining camps, gold being discovered there in 1863. It is now a ghost town, practically deserted. An old cemetery is located there which old-timers believe was started about 1870. It is located on land now included in the Mackey homestead.

To reach Sparta, take State Highway 86 out of Baker for about 18 miles where it crosses the Powder River, then take the first road to the left eight or nine miles. The graves are to the left of this county road when traveling in an easterly direction.

There are many early graves unmarked or marked with wooden headboards, markings on which have now disappeared. The cemetery is in the field of a homesteader, is fenced and well kept up by relatives and friends. It is on high dry ground, wild flowers are abundant here. About eight years ago descendents of those buried at Sparta erected a large and very beautiful common stone marker in the cemetery on which it is stated that the cemetery was begun in 1870.

There are three graves on a hill south of the old Sparta townsite. The hill is known as Boot Hill. The story is told that these men were killed in a gun fight in the 1860’s when Sparta was booming and things were wild and rough.

Known to be buried in the cemetery at Sparta are the followings, as listed in 1966:

Allen, Charles Albert d 1894

Arthur, Elizabeth b 1837; d 1907

Buckland, William d 1880

Burnside, Ray d 1940

Burnside, Texie Gorgia d 1924

Clough, Capt. E.E. b 1834; d 1903

Fake, Jacob Henry d 1923

Hammond, Sarah M. d 1918

Hearst, Jane b 1871; d 1902; name also given as Hurst

Hoke, Baby d 1934; child of George & Grace.

Jones, Hazel C. d 1922

Jones, Jess d 1930

Jones, Mrs. John (Williams) 1882-1938 Obit

Jones, Rose M d 1935

Jones, Velma d 1921

May, Alvin S. d 1924

Macy, Baby Baby of John & Irma

Macy, Cashius M. d 1925

Macy, Elizabeth d 1934

Mach, James M. d 1923

Mackey, Frank Stewart b 1878 d 1965; Obit

Mackey, Minnie (Hurlbert) b 1878; d 1939

Mathix, Mrs. Lois A. b ? d 1980 Obit

McKnight, Clyde 1906-1977

Mitchel, Allen d 1931

Motley, O. V. b 1852; d 1900

Parker, William J. 137th Ill. Inf.

Rone, Clifford d 1913

Rone, Kenneth d 1920

Stouder, Edith May d 1888

Weir, Marshal d 1934

Wilson, Ada Viola d 1903

Wilson, Ernest V. d 1895, baby

Wilson, May C. b 1890; d 1905

Wilson, Walter L. d 1939

Younger, John d 1907

Our thanks to the Baker Family History Center for allowing us to use their copies of these cemetery records.


Collection:
AccessGenealogy.com. Cemetery Collection.

Search Military Records - Fold3

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Scroll to Top