Historic Ketchum Cemetery

During the past 125 years, the Ketchum/Sun Valley area has been transformed from its earliest days as a wilderness used by Native American bands and visited only rarely by trappers and prospectors into a booming mining and smelting center; a major sheep-raising and shipping area; one of the nation's premiere winter and summer resort areas; and finally, into a vibrant cultural and recreational gateway community.

A Community Tradition

In the early days, townspeople lent an individual and collective helping hand as needed. In one instance, missing names were meticulously located and placed on previously unmarked graves, each displaying the information on cardboard atop a wooden stay and set firmly in a small can of cement.

Over the years dedicated grave diggers persisted through cold and snow to provide winter burials whenever required. At one point, a sturdy wooden stile (stairway) was erected to give walkers easy access over the fence for carrying flowers onto the cemetery grounds.

Honoring Those Who Served

Traditionally, on Memorial Day, friends and relatives decorated unadorned graves along with their own as a sign of respect and a sense of community.

Today, on this special occasion, one can see a flag and a white cross at the headstone of every veteran buried in the cemetery, placed there by local American Legion members, who annually hold a brief ceremony to salute those who died for their country in the line of duty.

A Living Legacy

Simple board structures of the old mining town have gradually given way to the expansive residences and trophy homes of today. The unkempt Pioneer grave site that became a final resting place for early settlers, has transformed into a well kept and beautiful cemetery, nestled into the hills.

As the surrounding area has developed, the serenity and view have not been compromised. The Ketchum Cemetery continues to provide for the needs of this growing community.