Luper Pioneer Cemetery will be open 9 am to 4 pm May 25, 26, 27, including: self-guided tours of the cemetery with interpretive signs, Mountain man presentations (see schedule, below), kids pioneer crafts, sales of books about pioneer times, and old-time acoustical music by The Poodle Creek Pickers (noon on Memorial Day). The full schedule for the weekend is:
Saturday, May 25 — 1 PM – Mountain man Presentation and Kid’s crafts, 3 PM – Mountain man Presentation and Kid’s crafts. Mountain Man Ken Beagle and his wife Marmie Beagle (Great-great granddaughter of wagon train leader James McClure) will give short talks each day. Ken will show and explain the clothing and gear, and also talk about the history of the Mountain Men and how they were utilized by the wagon trains during their immigration west. Marmie will model a typical prairie dress of that era.
Sunday, May 26 — 2 PM – Mountain man Presentation and Kid’s crafts
Monday, May 27 — 10 AM – Mountain man Presentation and Kid’s crafts,
NOON – Music by the Poodle Creek Pickers.
Luper Cemetery (also known as Irving or Baker Cemetery) was founded in the mid-1800s. Eighteen of those interred at Luper Cemetery arrived in 1853, by way of the Oregon Trail and the Free Emigrant Road across central Oregon. Over 160 people are buried at Luper Cemetery. Self-guided tours may be taken anytime and books and authors will be available at various times throughout the weekend.
Please check www.lupercemetery.com for more historical information about the cemetery, and other resources.
DIRECTIONS to Luper Cemetery: From Eugene, take River Rd. north to Beacon Drive, on the north boundary of Santa Clara, and follow signs west. From Junction City, take River Rd. south, turn west onto Beacon Drive and travel about a ½ mile to a white metal gate, on the north side of Beacon Drive. Proceed through the gate approximately 1/2 mile to the parking lot and cemetery entrance. The cemetery may be accessed every day from dawn to dusk by walking the half-mile gravel road from West Beacon Drive to the cemetery.
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