Grave Marker Photographs
Grave marker photographs were taken during 1998-1999 as part of a grant that was partially funded by the Colorado Historical Society's State Historical Fund.
Several hundred grave markers have undergone conservation work and repair since that time, so the photos may not be an accurate representation of the stones as they appear today. Updated photographs of the markers are being added as they are available. In addition, some of the broken, loose or otherwise "endangered" grave markers have been removed by the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department from the cemetery to an offsite storage location. It is hoped that they may be returned to their proper location in Columbia Cemetery if and when repair is possible.
Lot Maps
Each lot map lists the known purchasers, and includes the decedent’s name, date(s) of birth and/or death, and on-site grave markers, if any. The grave markers drawn on the map are those that existed in 1971 or subsequently. Maps are not drawn exactly to scale and the grave markers drawn on these maps are a suggestion as to placement and size. Boulder Genealogical Society used the 1971 DiMarco Survey maps and its placement of markers, as well as a visual survey. The cemetery should be checked for exact measurement and placement of markers.
Lot Sizes
- Section A – Approximately 25’ x 18’ (usually)
- Section B – Approximately 25’ x 18’ (usually)
- Section C – Approximately 25’ x 18’ (usually)
- Section D – Approximately 25’ x 18’ (usually)
- Section E – 25’ x 20’
- Section F – Most are 25’ x 28’8”; however, Lots 3a, 7a and 15a are 11’ x 28’8” and Lot 19 is 25’ x 25’
- Avenue Reserve – 4 lots each 20’ x 25’
- Boulder Avenue Reserve – 8 lots each 20’ x 25’
- Central Avenue Reserve – 33 lots each 15’ x 18’
- Columbia Avenue Reserve – 16 lots each 20’ x 25’
- East Avenue Reserve – 26 lots each 15’ x 18’
- North Avenue Reserve – 16 lots each 25’ x 25’
- South Avenue Reserve – 8 lots each 25’ x 25’
- West Avenue Reserve – 130 single graves at 3’ x 10’ each
The lots in Sections A, B, C, D, E, and several in F were originally divided into 12 grave rooms, with 6 on the East side and 6 on the West side. The Reserves (except West Avenue Reserve) each have 16 grave rooms, with 8 on the East side and 8 on the West side. Some are divided into 18 grave rooms—an East, Center, and West row, with each row having 6 grave rooms. The grave rooms are numbered from East to West, North to South. When the grave room is known, persons have been placed in that order. The grave rooms may be numbered 1 through 12, or 1 through 6 on the East half, and 1 through 6 on the West half.
Often, the records simply list the Section and Lot number, or that an individual is buried in the S ½ or N ½. Sometimes the records state that a burial is in the Southeast, Northeast, Southwest or Northwest quarter, but do not list the grave room. Or the records may simply state, “buried Columbia Cemetery.” Prior to the existence of the Park Cemetery Books, which began in November, 1913, very few grave room numbers were given. Undertaker Trezise’s books commenced in 1902, and list a few grave room numbers.
When the grave room number is not known, the symbol an asterisk (*) precedes the name. If there is available room on the map, the ¼ or ½ of the lot in which the burial is located has been listed.
Criteria for Location of Burials on Lot Maps
- People were determined to be located in specific grave rooms on the lot maps based on the following information:
- Placement of marker(s) on lot according to DiMarco’s 1971 Survey and McRoberts’ 1997 visual survey
- Park Cemetery Books information on grave room assignments
- Mortuary records information on grave room assignments
- Maps drawn by early cemetery sexton Ben Grass and others
- Maps in “Block Books” of Columbia Cemetery
- BEST GUESS based on existing information
Mary McRoberts has done her best to determine the location of persons buried in Columbia Cemetery (Section, Lot and Grave Room.) The diagrams of each lot are the best possible guess based on present existing information. Many sources were consulted, as well as the burial pattern of morticians and familial relationships. Morticians often placed single burials (not those in family lots) by order of death date, filling the graves in the east half first.