Moyie is a charming little town in the East Kootenays of British Columbia. Tied to mining for its first few decades – the St Eugene was a huge producer of lead and zinc, silver and gold – today it’s a sleepy little community with a retirement vibe, split by a busy highway. It’s home to a picturesque little church and an old time fire hall along with rows of rustic houses perched on steep slopes leading down to Moyie Lake. It’s a most quaint place with a population of about 450. Really? It looks less.
A click or two south of town is what we’ve come to document. There, beside the highway, a most peaceful setting if not for the noise from passing vehicles, is the Moyie Cemetery, with some eighty or so souls interred here. Look at those little white picket fences scattered there among the trees marking many of the plots. It’s quite beautiful.
The Little Cemetery Moyie BC: a most scenic spot to be laid to rest. A choice cut from your friends Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
Moyie dates from the 1890s with the cemetery land set aside soon after. There was one burial in 1898, the first year they took place, with a couple more, give or take being added most successive years. The year 1906 was the busiest with nine people being interred here. By the late 1920s, with the mine petering out, the town’s population shrunk and with that the frequency of burials trailed off. Many years there were none.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
Still, they came. To spend all time and eternity. By the 1940s, the last casket burials took place here at Moyie. Afterwards only cremated remains we’re allowed. This was we suspect account of the rocky ground, and the many trees whose roots could get in the way. The most recent grave marker dates from 2012. It’s said the cemetery is now inactive – but it’s still lovingly maintained. Not sure if someone requested it, if they’d be allowed to inter someone here. Some couple’s grave markers reflect people still alive, however, so maybe yes.
On the north side of the property is the remains of a stone building. This was a tomb, in use circa 1890s-1940s(?), a place to keep bodies temporarily over winter till the ground thawed – cold storage for the dead. These buildings, while not seen much today, were frequently found next to pioneer cemeteries. Frozen earth is near impossible to dig.
There’s a mix of headstones here, the majority being stone. Wood ones mark a few, but most of their faces are blank from time. A few graves are marked with simple wood crosses. Many plots have fences, pickets or chains. Some are unmarked but shallow depressions hint where they are. No doubt many of these simpler graves belong to miners, who rarely had the money for anything but the most basic of burials.
All too common when looking in these old cemeteries is a proliferation of infant graves, children who had life stolen from them far too soon, account disease or illness. Many babies back then didn’t make it. Looking at the dates, some only survived a week or less (or perhaps were still born). Even those that manged to hold onto life for but a day…they have a name. Imagine the heartbreak the parents went through. These graves are often the most elaborate and touching in form.
Many family names are seen. Flowers, statues and ornamentation adorn many graves. Someone still cares – something we hope happens when we pass on. Some picket fences and wood markers show a fresh coat of paint.
If not for the roar of the highway, this would be one of the most wonderfully pastoral places to be buried one could ever imagine. Funny though, as we wandered about snapping pictures we got lost in the moment and the noise seemed to trail away. Perhaps the dead don’t notice it either.
The trains, the track right beside the highway there on the far side (everything here has to fit on a narrow shelf by the lake), well, they make a din too. But they don’t come that often, perhaps a half dozen or so passing each day. Anyway, thou shall not speak badly of trains. Ever!
There’s a pull off on the highway beside the Moyie Cemetery where you can park, if you wish to visit it. Careful though, it comes up on you fast and the road can be like the Indianapolis Speedway at times, especially come a summer weekend. It’s be easy to get rear ended here.
This is the first of a series of BC posts coming soon. We’ve been hitting up that province a lot the last couple months and saw so many amazing things which we’ll be sharing with you later. You’ll love the articles in the pipeline!
For some unknown reason I have been drawn to this cemetery since the first time I saw it. So strange, as far as I or any of my family know, none of our relatives are buried there. So I make a point of visiting when it beckons…I was so pleased when the grave sites started to be painted and taken care of again., but that seems to have stopped. sad.
Thanks! Yes, we saw that. I’d be willing to bet big that the old history book they’re referencing is wrong (and it happens). In case of an accidental explosion a powder magazine should be well set back from any mine buildings or where employees congregate but here they’re at least a click away from the St Eugene workings. There’s no need for that kind of distance. Also in question is the material the structure is made from. It’s not very heavily built for such a purpose and a blast would have rocks flying every which way. Anyone visiting the cemetery would soon find themselves a resident. Usually power magazines were made of concrete. There’s other little things too, but these are the big sticking points. Over winter tombs like this were not all that uncommon. The ground was just too hard for burials then, so put ’em on ice till the spring thaw.
My Grandfather worked there many years ago and told me they explosive materials in there (the Tomb), not dead bodies! Those would have been sent to Cranbrook before funerals were held.
Over-winter cold storage buildings for bodies awaiting burial come spring, when the ground could be worked, were not uncommon back when. We know of many, a few of which are still standing. There’s one in Calgary for example. That the building and cemetery are right next door to each other suggests just such a purpose. While a powder magazine needs to be separate from other mine structures, for safety reasons in case of an accidental explosion, here’s it’d be over a kilometre away. That’s sort of distance is not needed. That the building is made of stone would mean that if the unthinkable happened, there would be a million projectiles going a million different directions at high speed, making a mess of the cemetery, and possibly injuring or killing folks visiting or passing by on the public road that ran right out front. That road has been there in one form or another most of the time the mine operated. Bad for business! Many of the mine structures at the St Eugene incorporated concrete in their foundations. With that said, a steel reinforced concrete powder magazine would not be difficult for them to construct (and was common practice anyway). In regard to the burials in Cranbrook comment – in the old days, bodies were almost always buried local, for cost or convenience reasons. It’d be safe to say most of those who died in Moyie were buried in Moyie. Lastly, that the building’s function as a tomb is marked by an official plaque tells us someone connected to the place has recognized its purpose.
Hmmm, I’ll try and track down a copy. For a countless reasons, I question that, however. Scan the comments to see our response to someone challenging us on the tomb angle. There we go in detail as to why we don’t think it could be connected to the mine.
My husband and I finally went there last year. We have passed it for a good 20 years on our way to Sandpoint, Idaho. I’m so glad we stopped! It’s a beautiful and peaceful little cemetery. I was able to get some awesome pictures.
I lived in Moyie in the early 60’s. My family lived in a big old haunted house from the bygone days of mining, just up from the highway. I drove through Moyie and passed the old home a few years ago and discovered that it has become a heritage house. I had the audacity to go and knock on the door and the lady who answered, took me on a tour showing me all the changes that were made.and welcomed my interest. Was indeed a trip through the past. Loved it!
Funny, we were in Sandon a few weeks back but time constraints kept us from seeing the cemetery. It was a full schedule with zero time left over. Next time we’re in the area though, and I’m sure we will be, we’ll be sure to pay it a visit.
We see picket fences often is smaller mountain cemeteries, especially in areas where mining took place. Not completely sure the reason, be it just for looks, or if there was something else behind it. I once heard it was to keep deer from making a meal of flower offerings, but I’m not totally convinced.
I’ve never seen a cemetery like that in western Canada before. You say it’s just south of town so will I see it or a sign if I head south? Not that I expect to be in the area anytime soon but someday that would be nice to photograph.
There’s a number of them we’ve been too like it, mostly in BC or interestingly in former mining communities. If you’re heading south you’ll come upon it fast on your left (no sign as I recall). Careful you don’t get rear-ended.
We used to do something called the "pointless challenge" 🤪 and miss those days. It was so much silly fun and often frustrating as heck. In these we'd invite people to send in random photos of obscure locations, but not give any information, and then we'd track where it was and shoot something similar.
Most of these came from old family collections, as was the case here. Anyone up to resurrecting the series?
In hindsight, why didn't we pose someone in our shot?
Pointless: “Devoid of meaning (or) senseless” Merriam-Webster.
If you like what we do and want to support this ongoing project (12 years now), go here: https://www.BIGDoer.com/help-the-society/ Thanks to Connie for making this post possible.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: ca1970 and 2014. Posted by Connie.
Captured on a cold, cold day many years ago. We've been passing this old house for decades and it's little changed in that time. At some point we expect to drive by and it'll be gone.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
When retired old railway cars usually get cut up for scrap. Sometimes, however, they find their way into the hands of the general public or whomever. Flat cars make good bridges, and boxcars can be transformed into storage buildings and the like. Case in point here. We see them used like this often enough and in this case, it's part of a corral.
Incidentally, this boxcar dates from 1950 and this was found by tracing the old road number, which is still visible.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
This central Alberta racetrack was never a commercial operation but instead just a fun place for car enthusiasts in the area to get together. Early '70s or thereabouts and it only lasted a few years. Even thought it's been abandoned for that long, there is no doubt what was here.
You know we like the the obscure stuff and this one fits the bill perfectly. Found by accident while backroad cruising and the history comes thanks to local car guy Mike.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
On top of little Myrtle Mountain in the Kimberley (BC) Nature Park.
There's some good wilderness fun to be had here and nice views as you can see, but the real reason we came is mining history. The whole area near the ski hill was extensively worked over a century ago and we were looking for evidence of this. We didn't find much in the area searched, but it's a big chunk of property and we hope to return to cover more ground again soon. Of all the subjects we cover, mining related is a favourite.
Still, it was a good hike and that can't be bad. Look to the comments for more info 👇.
Exploring nature and history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
It's a strange curiosity in south Kananaskis, there on a hillside and we have no idea who created it. We asked around and no one's completely sure about its history. In the past it showed the Canada 100 logo from 1967 but in 2017 someone changed it to reflect the country's 150th.
That's our friend Emily from DanOCan.com having a look.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
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For some unknown reason I have been drawn to this cemetery since the first time I saw it. So strange, as far as I or any of my family know, none of our relatives are buried there. So I make a point of visiting when it beckons…I was so pleased when the grave sites started to be painted and taken care of again., but that seems to have stopped. sad.
Funny how one is drawn in and it happens to us all the time.
Sure is. Thanks for the write up. This is an interesting site..you must have been everywhere.
Thanks! While it seems like we’ve been everywhere, we’ve only just scratched the surface. We’ll keep going till we drop!
Love your site! They’re saying it’s a dynamite shed over at the Lost Kootenays facebook group.
Thanks! Yes, we saw that. I’d be willing to bet big that the old history book they’re referencing is wrong (and it happens). In case of an accidental explosion a powder magazine should be well set back from any mine buildings or where employees congregate but here they’re at least a click away from the St Eugene workings. There’s no need for that kind of distance. Also in question is the material the structure is made from. It’s not very heavily built for such a purpose and a blast would have rocks flying every which way. Anyone visiting the cemetery would soon find themselves a resident. Usually power magazines were made of concrete. There’s other little things too, but these are the big sticking points. Over winter tombs like this were not all that uncommon. The ground was just too hard for burials then, so put ’em on ice till the spring thaw.
My Grandfather worked there many years ago and told me they explosive materials in there (the Tomb), not dead bodies! Those would have been sent to Cranbrook before funerals were held.
Over-winter cold storage buildings for bodies awaiting burial come spring, when the ground could be worked, were not uncommon back when. We know of many, a few of which are still standing. There’s one in Calgary for example. That the building and cemetery are right next door to each other suggests just such a purpose. While a powder magazine needs to be separate from other mine structures, for safety reasons in case of an accidental explosion, here’s it’d be over a kilometre away. That’s sort of distance is not needed. That the building is made of stone would mean that if the unthinkable happened, there would be a million projectiles going a million different directions at high speed, making a mess of the cemetery, and possibly injuring or killing folks visiting or passing by on the public road that ran right out front. That road has been there in one form or another most of the time the mine operated. Bad for business! Many of the mine structures at the St Eugene incorporated concrete in their foundations. With that said, a steel reinforced concrete powder magazine would not be difficult for them to construct (and was common practice anyway). In regard to the burials in Cranbrook comment – in the old days, bodies were almost always buried local, for cost or convenience reasons. It’d be safe to say most of those who died in Moyie were buried in Moyie. Lastly, that the building’s function as a tomb is marked by an official plaque tells us someone connected to the place has recognized its purpose.
Well played. I’ve heard the explosive’s storage building story before and always questioned it for the reasons you brought forward.
We’re always open minded, however. Still, its purpose seems obvious to us.
The book Moyie Reflections says it (the tomb) was the powder magazine for the St. Eugene mine.
Hmmm, I’ll try and track down a copy. For a countless reasons, I question that, however. Scan the comments to see our response to someone challenging us on the tomb angle. There we go in detail as to why we don’t think it could be connected to the mine.
My husband and I finally went there last year. We have passed it for a good 20 years on our way to Sandpoint, Idaho. I’m so glad we stopped! It’s a beautiful and peaceful little cemetery. I was able to get some awesome pictures.
Yes, it sure is charming and serene.
It does look like a very peaceful place.
If not for the highway nearby, it would be. But then again I’m not sure the dead really mind.
I lived in Moyie in the early 60’s. My family lived in a big old haunted house from the bygone days of mining, just up from the highway. I drove through Moyie and passed the old home a few years ago and discovered that it has become a heritage house. I had the audacity to go and knock on the door and the lady who answered, took me on a tour showing me all the changes that were made.and welcomed my interest. Was indeed a trip through the past. Loved it!
Wow, what a cool connection and story. How amazing that must have been!
Awesome spot been there a few times.
Yes, it sure is awesome!
Also the one on the road to Phoenix.
Yes, a few people have mentioned it. We’ll be sure and check it out if we’re in the area.
You should check out the one outside of Sandon, BC.
Funny, we were in Sandon a few weeks back but time constraints kept us from seeing the cemetery. It was a full schedule with zero time left over. Next time we’re in the area though, and I’m sure we will be, we’ll be sure to pay it a visit.
Along the side of the highway?
Yes, right beside it. You can’t miss it.
I have stopped there a few times, a nice lake there.
Yes, that lake. It’s gorgeous!
Pretty cool, as I’ve never seen one with a tomb like that before.
These were not all that odd in the old days for cemeteries big and small. But with most of these buildings long gone, they’re little known today.
Interesting how some of the older graves have a small fence built around them. Very peaceful.
We see picket fences often is smaller mountain cemeteries, especially in areas where mining took place. Not completely sure the reason, be it just for looks, or if there was something else behind it. I once heard it was to keep deer from making a meal of flower offerings, but I’m not totally convinced.
Love those old graves ,,,,
It sure is a special place.
Nice to see someone takes care of it. I know of graveyards almost 200 years old just left to vanish into the Forrest. What a shame.
It’s lovingly cared for. Sad though that not all are. Indeed, we seen many forgotten cemeteries.
Been here. Great post.
Thank you…and we do it for you!
My grandpa is buried there ❤️. My husband and I went to visit him earlier this month.
How special! What a great place to spend all time.
Many children. Diseases were not kind.
I know. So many children didn’t make it far back then. So sad.
Everytime I go by I want to stop but never have.
Now’s the time to make it a point to stop.
Ahhhhhhhh….. That is amazing…. The good ol days!!!!
We always look back on the past fondly. Simpler times then.
Just drove by that little graveyard. Have you guys been to the Phoenix cemetery near Greenwood? One of the James gang is buried there.
No, we haven’t been, but we’ll put it on the to-do list. Sounds interesting!
I’ve never seen a cemetery like that in western Canada before. You say it’s just south of town so will I see it or a sign if I head south? Not that I expect to be in the area anytime soon but someday that would be nice to photograph.
There’s a number of them we’ve been too like it, mostly in BC or interestingly in former mining communities. If you’re heading south you’ll come upon it fast on your left (no sign as I recall). Careful you don’t get rear-ended.