In 1965, the Pioneer Daughters of Slaughter dedicated a monument and plaque that stands in Pioneer Cemetery. Many of the gravesites here are devoted to early Japanese pioneers who settled in the White River Valley. The graves were carefully tended through the years, first by Chiyokichi Natsuhara, who replaced the early wooden markers with stone markers. When local Japanese were interned during World War II, the cemetery was neglected and many of the gravestones damaged. After the war, Mr. Natsuhara's son, Frank, assisted in the caretaking before the cemetery was incorporated into the city park system. Other notable gravestones in the cemetery include members of the John Faucett and John Hart families, as well as Angeline Seattle, the Native American wife of John Seattle, a cousin of Chief Seattle.
2016 is the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Auburn, Washington. Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation, auburntourism.com, and the WSGA are hosting the Auburn Geocaching Adventure 2016 - 20 caches placed in Auburn. The geocaches highlight some areas of historical significance, some parks, and some areas of general interest in Auburn. We hope you enjoy visiting the Auburn area, learning about its history and viewing its progress into the 21st Century.