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Parks commission hears proposal to add memorial headstones and benches at Hardeeville Cemetery
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Summary
Volunteers from Clampus Vitis and the Colorado River Museum presented plans to install benches and a line of memorial headstones at Hardeeville Cemetery, Bullhead City’s site on the National Register of Historic Places; the commission took no action and asked staff to collect public feedback before returning the item next month.
Bullhead City Parks and Recreation commissioners on Tuesday heard a community-led plan to install benches and a row of memorial headstones along the west fence of Hardeeville Cemetery, a site the superintendent said is the city’s only listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Superintendent David Heath introduced the item as discussion-only and said staff and the State Historic Preservation Office consider the National Register designation “honorary.” Heath told commissioners the proposal came from local volunteer TJ Van Horn, who “represents the local chapter of Ecaepus Vitus,” and that staff had invited both volunteers and a museum representative to present.
Presenter TJ Van Horn described the cemetery as “kind of been neglected” and said the proposed additions are intended to attract more visitors and improve accessibility. “The headstone idea, the bench idea is more of a kind of get tourism there,” Van Horn said, adding that the intent is not to disturb plots. He told commissioners there are “16, there's 17 plots, but 16 of them are known,” and that the memorials would generally be placed along the west fence rather than atop individual graves.
Commissioners raised material and shade concerns. One commissioner asked how the headstones would be made and how they would withstand vandalism; Van Horn said the group is considering concrete with a sealer and black lettering and noted that shade structures could be considered later. Commissioners also confirmed the cemetery currently remains open to the public through a fenced opening; presenters said they do not propose gated hours and expect the site to remain accessible.
Mary Ragusa, speaking for the Colorado River Museum and the historic society, expressed support for the proposal and said the museum’s tours already visit the site. “We are really excited also that these gentlemen have taken on our project,” Ragusa said, and she added the enhancements would help visitors and tours better understand local history.
Heath emphasized that no formal action would be taken at the meeting and said staff would solicit community feedback for a month before bringing a recommendation to the commission and, if appropriate, to city council. The commission did not vote on the proposal; the item is scheduled to return at the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting for possible action.
