Potter Valley Cemetery Auxiliary
History of the Potter Valley Cemetery
Adapted from Delight Shelton’s book, From Acorns to Oaks
The origins of the Potter Valley Cemetery trace back to a gift of land from James Neil, who donated two acres for burial purposes. The earliest marked grave dates to 1858, though many graves are unmarked or marked with wooden headstones that have since deteriorated beyond legibility.
James Neil eventually sold his property to J.P. Smith, who, on January 25, 1884, deeded an additional one acre to the cemetery—along with the original two acres—for $40 in lawful money. These three acres form the four sections currently divided by the access lanes.
Later, on May 27, 1910, J.P. Smith deeded another acre for $50 in gold coin. This area now serves as the parking lot and Section 5, located east of the parking area.
Lot sales were not officially recorded until 1906, and burial records were not kept until 1971. Up until 1945, no paid help was employed; graves were traditionally dug by friends and family members of the deceased.
Cemetery Improvement History – Potter Valley
The original steel seats from 1914 were stripped down to the original steel and powder-coated at a cost of $800 each. Six generous individuals funded this restoration project.
A new fence was installed around the cemetery in 1903.
On December 15, 1914, six new steel seats were purchased from J.W. Eversole for $51.83, with an additional $10 charged for freight.
On February 17, 1964, Lawrence Welling Morse bought the section where the seats and flagpole are located and donated it “for use of mourners and worshippers to honor their departed family and friends.”
In 2016, a non-profit organization was formed to keep donations within Potter Valley rather than routing them through the county.
In July 2017, as an Eagle Scout project, Jerry Jackson repaired the 100-year-old fence on West Road.
In 2018, Danny Vaughan and friends sourced reproduction fencing that matched the original. They replaced all the old fencing in the parking lot. Curbing was also placed on the east side of the parking lot to funnel water into the irrigation ditch.
In 2023, a columbarium was installed as space in the 170-year-old cemetery was running out. A kiosk was also added to help visitors locate burial places.
An ongoing project is to place a marker on all known graves.