THIS IS AN ARCHIVED NEWS STORY FROM 2020 AND THE CONTENTS OF THIS ARTICLE MAY NO LONGER APPLY. FOR THE LATEST COMMUNITY NEWS CLICK HERE.

Have you ever wanted to explore the Historic Newcastle Cemetery? One of Newcastle’s greatest treasures sits on a forested hillside overlooking Lake Boren. It stands as a reminder of the City’s rich coal-mining past, but it’s easy to miss, hidden behind a fence and closed to the public to keep out vandals.

On what would have been Newcastle Days weekend (September 12-13), visitors are invited to visit the historic location and learn a little bit more about its significance. However, to promote social distancing and limit the spread of COVID-19, there will not be a guided tour this year. This was done to protect the safety of our community, as well as the members of the Newcastle Historical Society who usually lead the tours. Instead, NHS has created a one-page handout with information about the Cemetery that will be available on site over the weekend. You can also access it from your phone here.

The Newcastle Historic Coal Miner’s Cemetery covers a little more than 2 acres and has served as the final resting place for coal miners and their families since the 1870s. It is the only remaining tangible reminder of the nationalities of miners engaged in the early coal mining industry in Newcastle.

The cemetery is at 7811 129th Ave. SE. 

Please recreate responsibly. Remember to practice physical distancing and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a face covering if you anticipate coming into close contact with others. For more tips on recreating responsibly, read the King County Parks blog here.