Washington
Image by Conspiracy.of.Cartographers
Part of my process with the cemetery work is that I do almost zero (or actually zero) research about the specific cemeteries and graves prior to visiting them. Of course, I (usually) find out where their locations, but I don’t even like to look at photos of them since the land here changes surprisingly quickly due to farming, fires, clean ups, etc.
When I arrive at a location, I can take it in with fresh eyes. Sometimes I’m disappointed that nothing remains. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by how amazing a place is. And then sometimes I’m just baffled.
The Downs cemetery baffled me. Like many pioneer cemeteries, it’s unmarked – there are no signs. It’s on a hill, so seeing it from the road is kind of tough.
I saw a small pull off and figured it was just above the crest. There are no paths and the weeds were thick and above the knees. As you can see from the photo, the enclosures are plainly visible – but so are the lack of stones.
In fact, one remains – a stone to Marie Hinshaw, who died in 1903 at the age of seven. Though burial records are probably incomplete, there were once 13 stones in this cemetery.
And at one time, it was much larger – nearly two acres and apparently enclosed in a large fence. Now, all that is here are the two small enclosures. The one on the left was for the Lee family, though only one Lee burial is recorded – Nancy Lee, a teacher married to a wheat farmer. They both died young, ages 36 and 40, three years apart.
The enclosure on the right was for the Hinshaw family, and Marie’s stone is all that is left. There were at least five other family members buried there, including Marie’s grandfather Luke, who followed the Oregon Trail west in 1845 (that’s super early). Luke’s wife, Isabella was also buried here. Another grandchild, Hansel, aged one was there as well.
Marie’s father, Wilbur, was also buried here, and there’s actually a record for his re-interment to a nearby cemetery. Curiously, he was the first white male child born in Walla Walla County, 1860. It’s possible others were removed as well. Why Marie was not is unknown. Actually, most of this is unknown.
Downs, founded in 1902, was a railroad town of 200 people, with businesses, a newspaper, a school with 78 children, a telephone exchange, bank, a church, a lodge, even a brass band. Now there is literally nothing left of the old town, save for two small enclosures and the stone of a seven year old girl.
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‘So Much As Honest’
Camera: Chamonix 45F-2
Lens: Steinheil Rapid Antiplanet 6,5; 27cm
Film: Fomapan 100
Exposure: f/24; 2sec
Process: FA-1027; 1+14; 9min
Washington
June 2023
