Pinal City Cemetery
Near Superior, Arizona on a hill overlooking the old townsite of Pinal City lies an old cemetery that is all but forgotten. All that is left of many of the graves are scattered stone piles, tattered flowers and a few headstones that lie haphazard on the rocky ground. As far as we can tell the last person was buried here in 1916. The cemetery gets more visitors than one might expect though, as it claims a famous permanent resident.
Celia Ann Blaylock (or Mattie to her friends) died in Pinal City on July 4th, 1888. At thirty-eight she succumbed to her addiction to alcohol and laudanum (an opiate).
Mattie and Wyatt met in Dodge City in 1879, where Wyatt was an Assistant Marshall. Though not officially married, Mattie introduced herself as Wyatt Earp’s second wife.
In 1879 Wyatt, Mattie, Bat Masterson, Doc Holliday and his wife “Big Nose” Kate Elder left Dodge City for Tombstone, Arizona. Wyatt’s brothers and their wives were living there and Wyatt wanted to be near them.
On the way to Tombstone the party stopped for several months to try prospecting at the booming silver town of Pinal City. Wyatt decided the silver badge was the only kind of silver for him and the group moved on to make history at Tombstone.
In 1881, shortly after the famous “Shootout at the OK Corral” Wyatt left Mattie for the last time. Heartbroken, Mattie returned to Pinal City to live out her days. The boom was long over in Pinal City and the town died less than a year after Mattie.
As Lance and I walked the hillside we tried to imagine what the missing headstones would say. A short grave might signal a small child, a cluster of graves might be a family plot. The most heart-wrenching was a small wooden cross that simply said Mom.
It seems like we are losing something valuable, perhaps the only remaining proof of that person’s existence. Or perhaps it is better this way, to let them fade into the earth, into the sunset.
View the Pinal City Cemetery photos.
[UPDATE: In case you are interested in visiting this cemetery, we have posted detailed directions to get there.]
Do you have detailed directions to get to this cemetary? I live near Superior and in fact today my wife and I went there and could not find it.
I heard that it was NorthWest of Superior.
Thank you.
Hi Vic,
The cemetery is west of Superior between Hwy 60 and the hills. We’ve posted detailed directions on how to get there.
This is the second time I have been to the cemetery. And we have a had alot of paranormal activity. It is very well kept. I will keep coming to your site to see where else your travel will take you
It is west of Superior but easier to find if you turn on the “Silver King Mine Road’ (well post on 60). Then follow the road around to the rightr of the piles of white dirt. First junction go left. When you top out there will be two roads to your left, take the second one (marked with a mound of rocks). Follow the road south for about a mile, you will see the Mattie Blaylock marker on your right. Just walk around!
I have in hand my Great Great Aunts Death Certificate, her name is Estefana Gamboa Magallanes. It says she was burried at “Pinal Cemetary” in Miami, AZ. She passed on July 13, 1931 and was born on July 10, 1894 in New Mexico. Is it possible she is burried at this cemetary, or is there another?
I read above and seen there hasn’t been anyone burried there since 1916. Can you please direct me to the right cemetary or is this the one? I appreciate all your help in my search, thank you.
Ray J. Valentine Sr.
Hello Ray,
Miami, Arizona is about 18 miles northwest of the Superior area cemetery that we visited. The names of the two cemeteries (Pinal City and Pinal) are similiar but they are quite different places. I did a quick Google search for Pinal Cemetery in Miami and have included a website that might be of assistance to you:
http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=299467
You can just click on that link, hope that helps!
We visited the cemetery on Dec. 28, 2007, a regular trek to maintain the graves of our relatives (Harkey). The marker for Celia Blaylock Earp was completely vandalized and the handsome plaque (shown in the picture above) was gone. I have pictures of its deplorable state. I believe that publicity about the locations of these remote sites contributes to their pilfering. I think that posting detailed information on an open website just accelerates the depredation of these historically important cemeteries.
Robert,
Thank you for your comment and for expressing your concern. We are very sorry to hear about the damage.
That said, we respectfully disagree with your assessment that publishing information about the cemetery led to the destruction. The possibility that someone looked it up on our website and then directly went out to vandalize the site is highly unlikely.
Without judging too much of the local population (since we used to be a part of it), it’s probably safe to say they have never seen our website nor would think of looking it up before heading out into the desert. The cemetery is on heavily used, public, Forest Service land and judging from the debris strewn around the area (bullet casings, broken beer bottles and shot up cans) most of those folks were not history or nature buffs.
The information on getting to Pinal Cemetery is already publicly available in several locations, including the Superior Chamber of Commerce and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Which is how we first found it.
From our perspective, the more exposure important places like this have, the better. If awareness is raised about the historical and sentimental importance of the site perhaps steps will be taken to protect it from thoughtless vandals.
The steel loop at the Old Pinal City was used to chain drunks in the town until they sobered up. I do desert tours in the Superstition Mountains. I was at Mattie’s grave today and the picture and poem have all been restored.
Thank you for the update Carl. I love the sobering up story about the steel loop—of all the things to have survived…
We are relieved that Mattie’s grave is back in shape, hopefully it will stay that way!
Again thank you, we appreciate the information.
Just wanted to say thank you for the pictures and all about the cemetery. I love history and have always been fascinated with Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday etc. I visited Tombstone a few years back and hated to leave that place. I have always said I was born in the wrong place and time.
I feel like I have been set down in another world. I have tromped those hills all of my life from the time I was a little kid. I not only have missed the graveyard I didn’t even know that town had ever been there. We went out today looking for it 105 degrees with the directions we had we missed it. We now have good directions and are going to head out there again as soon as we can.
I have seen so much of my beautiful desert and historical things destroyed by people that just don’t care. I hope that with the knowledge that it is there instead of hurting it will help.
I understand Mr Schmieder feelings about it totally. I can look across the beautiful desert from Apache Junction to Superior and see the destruction that has happened by progress. I hate that also. But maybe we can keep it safe by people knowing it is there and watching for the others that just don’t care
We agree with your last statement Stacey. We hope that by talking about these special places they will not be forgotten or destroyed. The desert southwest is a special place and deserves to be remembered and appreciated.
“The past is the key to the future.”
T.L. Moore,
It is amazing because I have always said the same thing…I live in the wrong time. I would have loved to have lived in the late 1800’s! I just had to leave a comment and tell you that!
I live in Mississippi and I am unfortunately unable to come see this place. I have always have been fascinated with Wyatt Earp and everyone connected. (I have a copy of the movie, Tombstone, and have watched it at least 20 times!)
I recently discovered while working on my family tree that my great great grandmother was an Earp and descends from Wyatt’s grandfather. That made me very excited.
This is a great site and I hope that people will realize how much it is important to keep history alive!
CMC –
Apparently your fascination with Wyatt Earp is in your blood, literally. What a neat find! Perhaps someday you’ll be able to take a trip and follow in Earp’s footsteps. Of course, you’ll end up in Tombstone but now you know of at least two other places in Arizona to explore.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! We too, hope that these sites will not disappear into the dust or be completely erased from memory.
? on mattie or matilda Blaylock
do you have information on her decendancy I believe her to be the baby daugher of Elbert Blaylock who lived in meigs co tenn unil 1858 the year of his death would love to know more on her .I decend from frankland her brother and am trying to uncover a axidental shooting of nancy yarbrough benjamins 1 wife would love to see old photos or letters in her hands writing to conferm her brothers name thank you again melisa
Hi Melisa,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, we don’t have any other information on Mattie.
Best of luck with your research!
We were at the cemetery on Jan. 3, 2009. What a beautiful place. Do you know if anyone knows the names, and/or information on the people buried there. There are very few graves that are marked but I have read there could be from 100 to 200 people buried there. I see some of the metal crosses are new. Do you know who is maintaining part of the area. I would send a donation if I knew who to mail/give it too. Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. Charlene
Charlene,
I have no idea who maintains some of the graves, we always just assumed it was family members. I guess I would check with the town office in Superior to see if they have any information. I hope that helps!
Glad you enjoyed your visit out there. I love the location – talk about a view!
We visited today Jan 19, 2009. It was a little difficult to find but well worth the trip. It is so interesting to see all those old gravesites. One headstone we saw was almost unreadable. I believe the date of death was 1881. Anymore info on that one? It appeared to be a marble headstone…..very fasinating place. What history Az has!!
Have recently uncovered information on my grandmother Maura Munoz. Have a receipt from the Miles Mortuary for $25 in payment of her burial, at the Pinal cemetary, dated 12/18/31. Is there anyway I can find any information on her burial site? We granddaughters live out east and at present are not able to travel to Arizona. any help would be appreciated.
Lanie, unfortunately we do not know who the headstone belonged to, although we do know which one you are referring to. I am having a hard time finding out who maintains the cemetery or even if anyone has any record of burials out there.
I am still looking into it – if I found out I’ll be sure to post the information for you. Thank you for your comment!
Sue, it appears you are referring to the Pinal Cemetery up near Miami, AZ. While looking into this I learned that the cemetery is currently maintained by the county but they do not appear to have any records. The Miles Mortuary is still in business and might be able to help you find your grandmother’s gravesite.
If that doesn’t work there is a local historian, George Brunson, who might be able to help you – he has been photographing the headstones at Pinal Cemetery in order to create a record of burials. Maybe you can e-mail him for assistance: dadbruns@msn.com
Hope that helps! Best of luck locating your grandmother’s resting place!
I was @ Matties gravesite today and straightened up the rocks and noticed someone stole the picture of her from the old wooden railroad ties used for her marker. WOW,I spent 5 hours out there yesterday and did not find it,came home,looked it up again and wrote down the directions and went back out today and drove right to it! What a very neat and exciting time I had doing this,Took pictures of EVERY grave marker,crosses,headstones,etc.I have many questions I plan on hopefully finding answers for thru the Superior people as well as many more journies to engage on! Would love to share any info on this and willing to take in advice on which one to persue next! You can email me for more info on this cemetary or the occupants and love to hear from all! Thanks and Happy Journies to ALL
Oops! My email addy is;jblevins18@cox.net
Thank you for taking the time to tidy up out there, John. It is really a treasure, we’re so glad that it hasn’t blown away and disappeared over the years.
I’m sure the research will be fascinating. Perhaps the information could be compiled in a little booklet so that folks traveling through can get a glimpse into the area’s interesting past. I would love to read it and I know I’m not the only one…
Have fun with it!
If you will , My son and I just recently was at this grave site looking for Mattie. when we arrived we found a gentleman dressed in some John wayne outfit, packing a peace maker. He lives in the area and and after a long and great conversation, he explained to us , that he comes as much as possible and does as much as he can keeping the general area cleaned and in some kind of order. I am very sorry, but I for get his name, but we had a very good time while there with him. my grandson was most impressed at four years old.
It sounds like you and your grandson had a memorable adventure, Chuck. Would have considered myself quite lucky to have run into your cowboy friend. Glad to hear that someone is looking after the area.
Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Erin, just re-visited Mattie’s grave yesterday. We took a couple from Penn. they are interested in Az. stories and folk lore, Wow! cannot believe damage too same site. Mat. pict gone, but looks like someone tried to dig here. anyhow, new dirt fill and much larger rocks around perimenter of site. no picture. by the way, My grandson Ethan said the person who comes there and works time to time is named Steve. I hope they will leave Mattie alone now, anyhow we will stay in touch. we are going to go back to Tip top north of Lake Pleasant and finish looking here. my understanding that Wyatt and Mattie spent the night here on several occasions.
Thank you Chuck for the update. We are aghast at the damage you described, why would anyone do such a thing? We are thankful that Steve looks after the site.
I am heading to this area this weekend in search of a grave site. The grave I am looking for is James or J.W. Brandenburg. Has anyone seen this name in the Superior, Winkleman area. Mr. Brunson does not know of it, Please help. thanks
Wish I could help you there, Marc. Best of luck with your search!
How do I go about finding a grave location. I’ve even called the county and morturary for records with no information. My great uncle is Roque Montalvo. I have the death certifiate.
Sorry, David, but we can’t help you with your search. We’re not sure who, if anyone, has the records for the Pinal City Cemetery. If by chance, you come across someone with information please let us know. I’m sure others would appreciate the lead.
We wish you good luck as you look for your great uncle!
We are the Arizona Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project (APCRP)
In August 2009 the Forest Service removed all evidence of Matties grave, an absolute travisty. We are currently working with the Tonto National Forest Service to replace her marker with a new one and then indentify all the graves in the cemetery to try and document all the names of those interred. In an attempt to restore dignity and honor to those buried here. We estimate it is possible there could be up to 200 graves in this historic cemetery.
Anyone having family buried in the Pinal City Cemetery (not Pinal Cemetery at Miami) we would welcome their input, information and documentation to help us determine who is interred here.
We would also welcome any assistance you can provide to assist us in the Historic Pinal City Pioneer Cemetery restoration. Please visit our Website at http://www.apcrp.org and become a Booster.
Thank you for your comment, Neal – this is great news! We are delighted that APCRP is working with Tonto NF to restore the Pinal City Cemetery. We wish your organization much success as you preserve this portion of our American heritage.
Howdy All,
I moved to superior about 4 yrs ago and spend a lot of time in the hills documenting old mines, graveyards ect. I know that the railroad ties that mark Mattie’s grave is not the actual site it is a few feet to the north. From talking to a city counsel member from the town of Superior the Forest Service is responsible for taking down the photo from the marker. The Town of Superior is in the works for putting a marble stone marker on the original grave. And as for the Pinal City last night I found a lot of the foundations and I am now in the process of laying out the town compared to old photos.
Thanks for the info, Eddie. We had heard about the Forest Service removing Mattie’s photo – though it is still unclear why. The news about Superior putting together a real marker is interesting, I hope that happens. As we have seen from the comments here quite a number of people are fascinated by Mattie and the role she played in the early days.
As for Pinal City, we enjoyed exploring the ruins. Hard to believe that it was once such a booming town. I imagine you stumbled across the ruts grooved into the stone by the wagon wheels? We have some photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lance_mountain/sets/1525074/
We’d love for you to share any tidbits that you come across.
Happy exploring!
Town of Superior is putting up a large monument to Mattie.
Yes her grave is about 30 feet North of her Monument it is marked with a large piece of sandstone and a small white wood cross, and outlined by stones.Doc Holliday and Kate stoped
lots of times at Gillette then going on up to Tip Top.
If any one is trying to go up to Tip Top be careful I flew over the
road with my helicopter last Wednesday and the road to Tip Top
is ruined. Since the forestry service ran the Cattlemen and the
mica miners out the road is really bad. Coming in from Columbia
thru Beyond Tip Top the road is bettter..
That’s great news, John! Thank you for the update. So glad to hear that Mattie’s grave will be properly and permanently marked.
And thanks also for the info about the road to Tip Top. Always wanted to get out there so I’ll keep this in mind.
Happy travels!
Cemetaries have always intrigued me. My father is buried in a tiny cemetary in Arpin, Wisconsin. I love visiting and reading about all the history and speculating about the lives of the people who are buried there. Perhaps I will visit Mattie’s grave someday and watch Thundering Wings fly over. The guy in the John Wayne outfit was probably Carl! lol He’s also a bush pilot, so watch out for the :”peace maker”, he used to hunt polar bears.
Visited the Pinal City cemetery today, Mattie’s grave site not visible. Article in the Superior Sun a couple of months ago, said Forest Service employee came upon a person making improvements to her grave, and because he didn’t have a permit to do so, was told to remove all markers to that grave site. Someone has made nice indications of a lot of grave sites there.The owner and operator of the local waste and recycling center made a nice memorial to Mattie, and I am assuming he is trying to get permission to place it at her grave. For everyone who didn’t know, there is also a cemetery close to the Silver King, visited that site today also, wire has been stretched across the entrance to that site forcing about a 1/4 mile walk up to the cemetery. Everyone that can should visit this site as it wouldn’t surprise me if the Forest Service tries to block easy access to all historical sites. A few years back they closed the road to motor vehicles into the head of Alamo canyon. It is rumored that they were the ones to burn down the Hotel at the Silver King Mine, About 25 years ago
Thanks for the information Clint. We never made it up toward the Silver King – we were told that it was on private land (though perhaps we misunderstood). Someone once told me that the people of Superior removed most of the buildings and furnishings piece by piece before the fire. I hate to think that anyone burned it down intentionally but I guess it wouldn’t surprise me.
We sure hope Mattie’s memorial is installed soon – and I know we’re not the only ones!
I was out to see Mattie Earps grave today and was unable to find it. I’m sure i walked by it but there was no visible trace or marker ANYWHERE. I searched a large area around the cemetary but was unable to find any semblence of anything that was close. Is it near the main plots or do i need to search behind the manzanita bushes? is it in the vicinity of Manuelita Guzmans plot? Any info would be GREATLY appreciated. Oh, By the way, I am yet another one of you that was born 100 years too late. Nice to see some of my own kind out there who feel as passionatly as i do about preserving our precious past.
Sorry to hear that Mattie’s grave is still unmarked, Tracy. On our original visit (several years ago) her marker was right at the front of the cemetery, near where we parked (eastside of cemetery). From subsequent information we now understand that Mattie is actually resting a short distance north of where that marker had been.
So, you undoubtedly walked right by it. We have heard that the town of Superior is in the process of installing a permanent marker for Mattie, though we have no information as to when that might actually occur.
Glad to hear you are passionate about the fascinating history of the area!
Hi, just wanted to add to Tracy Brenneman comments.My wife and i and some friends, were looking for Mttie’s grave, over the Easter weekend but could not find it.
So two local kids on motor bikes came by and we flagged them down and ask them if they knew where Mattie’s grave was.
So they took us to the cementery, but Mttie’s grave was no where to be found. The kids told us that 3 weeks earlier Matties grave was totally destroyed by vandals.
All we found was some rocks shaped like an arrow and an ” M ” to mark where the grave had been…” What a shame ” your friend, les and cathy griffith
Hello My father and I took the trip out to the old cemetery today. We had read an artical in Feb 08 about it and it took some time but we finally made it up there. We got flustered with the fact we had pictures and couldn’t find it. Didn’t think to look up the cemetery on line 1st. It doesn’t look like anything has been done to the grounds in some time and was very sad to see so many unnamed graves. We took lots of pictures if you would like to post updates pictures of what we found contact us the one grave stone that you have posted that cant read says:
Annie Maria
wife of
J.E. Weston
September 4, 1881
last line wasnt clear but had some type of letter with a 35 after it.
More disturbing news about the old Pinal City cemetery. Thanks for the updates, Lester and Stacie – I only wish things were in better shape. I still can’t imagine why anyone would vandalize a cemetery!
hello- i am the person who designed the memorial for Mattie’s gravesite and put it up. i was very upset about the desecration of the grave and am still investigating who is responsible. the town of Superior has been very supportive and we have started a group called Friends of Mattie Earp to rededicate a memorial this July 3rd, 122 years after her demise. more info can be obtained at Chamber of Commerce in Superior. mp
do you know that John Henry ( doc ) holiday’s common law wife Mary Katherine Horony ( big nose kate ) was buried on november 6th,1940 under the name of ” Mary K.Cummings ” below a modest marker in the Arizona Pioneer Home Cemetery,Prescott , Az. wife and i took pictures of her grave site.
This summer we are going to Glenwood Springs, Colorado to visit Doc Holliday’s grave site, and take some pictures.
The wife retires next april, and we want to go to visit WYATT EARP’S grave site, antake pictures… les n cathy
Thanks for the information about Big Nose Kate, Lester. I had no idea she was also buried here in Arizona. Have fun in Colorado this summer!
Michael, thank you for your recent update about Mattie Earp’s grave. After all the work you put into the memorial I understand how you must feel about its destruction! I have emailed the Superior Chamber of Commerce in hopes of finding out more about the status of the memorial and the Friends group (I will post all the details as soon as I find out more). Thanks again!
Hello once again. We went back up yesterday April 20th to find the city of Pinal. I guess we where on the wrong side of the 60. We are going back up on Thursday to see if we get diffrent results. This place has really sparked an intrest in my family and we are trying to find as much information as we can. I did learn that the city was populated by 2000+. There was a news paper called “The Pinal Drill” I found a copy of one of the 1st ones for sale as well as copies held by ASU and some down in Tucson. There was also a census taken I found in 1880 1900. Also found 2 families looking for information on Middelton and Rutledge if anyone knows any thing on these families.
Thanks
Stacie
I read an article in a book a friend of mine gave to me, and was surprised to find that Ike clanton was shot and killed by a detective Jonas V. Brighton for cattle-rustling. he was buried on june 1st, 1887 under a cotton-wood tree at Jim Wilson’s Ranch, on Eagle Creek, south of Springerville,Az… les
The Mattie Earp memorial at the Pinal Cemetery was not vandalized; it was removed. The cemetery is located on federal property and people are not free to erect whatever monuments they want. There is a process for dealing with gravesites and cemeteries, which are protected by state and federal laws. In this case, these laws have been repeatedly disregarded and continued activity at the Pinal Cemetery has led to further desecration of other graves within the cemetery. There is currently a proposal being developed that will assist in preservation of the cemetery. Unlike past efforts, this will be done legally and ethically. I would caution anyone planning anything at that site without obtaining proper permission. Please feel free to forward this message to Mr. Papaianni.
where did you aquire your information from ? may I ask…This cemetery was here long before there was any Federal or State rules, regulation, and laws were established.
Has anyone seen a grave marking or headstone for a Matthews; I”m not sure of the first name. Maybe James or John. I recently learned my Great Grandfather died in Miami and was buried in Pinal City. Please foreward any info. Thank You. Patricia
Replying to Les. It doesn’t matter if a site located on public lands existed prior to Federal or State laws. Those laws are designed to protect these cultural resources.
I have long delayed replying to these most recent comments because I was hoping to get some definitive answers about some of the issues surrounding the Pinal City Cemetery. Unfortunately, I came up empty-handed, though I have not given up.
Stacie – Thanks for sharing the information about the “Pinal Drill” paper. I bet that could come in handy for people trying to find family members. I hope someone can help with information about Middleton and Rutledge.
Wow, Les, with all your help we will have all of the information about the involved parties from that infamous day at the OK Corral. Thank you for sharing these tidbits.
Patricia, it sure doesn’t sound like Mr. Matthews would have been buried in this cemetery. You might have better luck at the similarly named Pinal Cemetery which is near Miami, AZ. There is a local historian, George Brunson, who might be able to help you – he has been photographing the headstones at Pinal Cemetery in order to create a record of burials. Perhaps you can e-mail him for assistance: dadbruns@msn.com
And last but not least, it is great news that there is a proposal in the works for the preservation of Pinal City Cemetery. Vincent and Les (and the rest of us) share an enthusiasm for the site and its story which is wonderful. Vincent, we’d all sure love to have more information about the proposal.
I know that when concerned and interested citizens work with government entities they can accomplish amazing things. So, if you have an avid interest in this cemetery, and the history that is entombed there, please let the land managers know. You can call the District Office in Phoenix at (602) 225-5200.