Luper Pioneer Cemetery Open Veterans Day

NEWS RELEASE

November 1, 2021

SUBJECT: Luper Pioneer Cemetery Open Veterans Day

CONTACT: Peter Thurston, President, Luper Cemetery Inc. 541-321-0798

On Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, 2021, the main vehicle gate for Luper Pioneer Cemetery at 30391 Beacon Drive West will be open from 9 am to 4 pm for the public to visit this Oregon Historical Site, one of the oldest cemeteries in the southern Willamette Valley. Luper Cemetery (also known as Irving or Baker Cemetery) was founded in the mid-1800s. Eighteen of the people buried 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.

Luper Cemetery, Inc. is a non-profit organization that has been working since 2009 with neighbors, public agencies, and other non-profit organizations to restore the cemetery and share its pioneer heritage with the public. Luper Cemetery, Inc. is recipient of several awards and grants for restoration of the pioneer historic site.

The cemetery may be accessed every day from dawn to dusk by walking the half-mile gravel road from the West Beacon Drive entrance to the cemetery. The main vehicle gate is opened on special occasions, including Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

Please visit www.LuperCemetery.com for more information about the Luper Cemetery Historical Site, and ways you can contribute to its restoration and maintenance. This website also contains many diaries and documents written by early Lane County pioneers.

#########

DIRECTIONS to Luper Cemetery: From Eugene take River Rd. north to Beacon Drive, on the north boundary of Santa Clara neighborhood, and turn west. From Junction City take River Rd. south, turn onto Beacon Drive West and travel about a ½ mile to a white metal gate, marked with Luper Cemetery signs on the north side of Beacon Drive. Proceed through the gate approximately 1/2 mile to the parking lot and cemetery entrance.