THE CEMETERY:
The Yarrow Cemetery is found at the end of Hare Road (formerly Alder Road) It is an even quieter place than the nearby village. The cemetery is super organized like its' founders, with tombstones arranged in 17 neat straight rows. It is nicely fronted with gates, a low brick wall, and cedar hedges.
Infant George Giesbrecht died August 2, 1928, the first death to occur among the Yarrow Mennonite settlers. George was buried in the Carmen United Church Cemetery.
The Yarrow Mennonites were officially authorized to establish a cemetery in May 1931, choosing the current site. Oddly the sign states this cemetery was founded in 1928, which conflicts with the written and tombstone evidence.
Nowhere in Yarrow is there a sign denoting the location of the cemetery, and you could be forgiven for not even knowing it exists. However, the local Mennonites have long known it is located at the end of “Kirchhofstrasse” (Cemetery Road). On your visit you may notice a sign at the corner of No. 3 Road and Hare Road that says, “NO EXIT.”
Based on a written history by Agatha E. Klassen in the Mennonite Historical Society of British Columbia Newsletter linked at top of page. Many thanks for the information.
THE CACHE:
This is a small cache with only a logbook, stamp, and inkpad. DO NOT REMOVE THE LETTERBOX STAMP AND INKPAD. There is room for coins and maybe a very small TB. Bring your own pen.
Letterboxing Directions: Go to the gate... look around.
INTERESTING TOMBSTONES/PERSONS:
Johann Braun, one of Yarrow’s pioneers, was for many years gravedigger and keeper of the grounds, and instrumental in establishing this cemetery. Heinrich Rempel (1910 – 1931) row 1, #42 and Agnes Schellenberg (1906 – 1931) row 1, #44 were the first two persons buried in the Yarrow cemetery.
THE RULES:
If you do not follow the rules your log will be deleted without notice:
1. NO NIGHT CACHING – while not posted, assume that this cemetery closes at Dusk. However, finding this cache does not require that you enter the cemetery.
2. RESPECT the locations and other visitors. Do not cache if there are other visitors around or if a funeral is in progress. Don’t make offensive comments (jokes) in the logs.
3. If you visit the cemetery as well as seeking the cache outside the cemetery, leave the cemetery better than you found it. CITO and tidy up fallen flowers.
4. Don’t post written or photo spoilers
5. Help create a good reputation for Geocaching so that we can continue to use these interesting locations.
THE SERIES:
Please do not use the BC Spirit Quest name for your cache without coordinating with us first to prevent confusion. Never hide a cache in any cemetery without specific permission. Credit for the idea to SixDogTeam, Half-Canadian and the other Spirit Quest series hiders. Thank-you and enjoy the history & the hunt.