Ralston Cemetery was named because it was located near Ralston Crossing. The first burials in the cemetery were the triplets born to Stephen Stewart and Margaret Jane Osborn. Ira died the day he was born, Ida died six days later on Oct 8, 1869, and Charles Wesley died on December 17, 1869.
As expected, this cemetery was also was known as Osborn Hill Cemetery. A quit claim deed was recorded on May 17, 1902 by Mary Ann Board that the tract of 2.82 acres to be used as a community cemetery. A wagon road that was 16 feet wide would lead from the county road to the burial site. It further stated that the land was to be used 'for burial purposes only and never to be used for any other purpose.'
In the early 1990's the surrounding area became developed in a subdivision, but several people went to the City of Arvada in hopes to preserve and maintain the Ralston Cemetery.
"COLORADO SPIRIT QUEST"
The Colorado Spirit Quest is a series of Caches started in 2008. Placed by many individuals, near cemeteries and historic sites in hopes of paying respect to the many pioneer ancestors that have 'walked' before us. There are hundreds of cemeteries in the rural and mountain communities across Colorado. This series will introduce you to many of them. The cache pages will provide a virtual history tour of the cemeteries and tombstones.
The Colorado Spirit Quest endeavor is an enormous and relentless task. It cannot be accomplished by just one or two people. This project will only flourish if there is a multitude of volunteer cachers willing to place these caches.
After locating the cache container, take some time to reflect back on the lives of those pioneers and the effort it took to make Colorado such a great state.
If you are interested in placing a "Colorado Spirit Quest" you should contact Ivy Dog Parents or Joe Friday.
Each person that places a Colorado Spirit Quest cache is responsible for its maintenance.