The Pioneer Calvary Cemetery also known as Catholic/Old Catholic/Tumwater Catholic.  This cemetery is located south of Olympia, behind the Bush Prairie (Union) Cemetery.  Go south on Capitol Boulevard through Tumwater and turn on Trosper Road.  Cross over the freeway on Trosper Road (54th Ave SW) and continue a short distance to Littlerock Road where you turn left.  Travel along Littlerock Road and the cemetery will be on your right.  Although the land was not acquired by the Catholic Church until 1873, it was evidently used earlier since some of the stones predate that time.  The property (slightly over two acres) was part of the Donation Land Claim of Jessie Ferguson.  Around 1900 the conditions deteriorated, and a number of the individuals were moved.  Many of the pioneers of the area were buried there. It is associated with the earliest period of Tumwater history. The Pioneer Calvary Cemetery was the first Catholic Cemetery in the area.

 

Transcribed for the Internet and submitted by Jerri McCoy March 14, 1998.  Pioneer Catholic Cemetery.