Clallam County Looks to Restore Port Crescent Pioneer Cemetery

Commissioners review cemetery's structure, needs, and next steps for restoration and maintenance.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:56pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of an old cemetery gate and headstones partially obscured by soft, blurred foliage, conveying a sense of the site's weathered history and need for restoration.Clallam County's efforts to restore and preserve the historic Port Crescent Pioneer Cemetery aim to revive the site's serene, contemplative atmosphere.Port Angeles Today

Clallam County is taking a closer look at the future of the Port Crescent Pioneer Cemetery, as commissioners reviewed its structure, needs, and next steps. The county has owned the cemetery since 1905, but there's still no formal system defining who handles operations, budgeting, or long-term planning. The county is now working with the volunteer board that oversees the cemetery to address issues like deteriorating signage, fencing, and headstones, with the help of a new Historic Cemetery Grant.

Why it matters

The Port Crescent Pioneer Cemetery is an important historical site in Clallam County, but it has suffered from a lack of clear governance and funding for maintenance. This effort to restore and preserve the cemetery is crucial for honoring the area's history and ensuring the site remains a respectful resting place for the community's pioneers.

The details

County Parks, Fairs and Facilities Director Don Crawford says they're working with the group that oversees the cemetery to address a number of issues, including replacing damaged signage, the perimeter fence, and the flagpole, as well as servicing some headstones and improving the aesthetics of a lane running through the site. The county has been awarded a Historic Cemetery Grant to help fund the restoration and preservation work, but the agreement needs to be finalized before the project can begin.

  • The county has owned the Port Crescent Pioneer Cemetery since 1905.
  • A volunteer board was added to oversee the cemetery in the 1970s.
  • The county was awarded a Historic Cemetery Grant in early 2026.
  • The grant agreement is expected to be finalized later this spring.

The players

Don Crawford

The Director of Clallam County Parks, Fairs and Facilities, who is working with the volunteer board to address the cemetery's needs.

Todd Mielke

The Clallam County Administrator, who says the county is trying to figure out how to best work with the volunteer board and budget for the cemetery's operations.

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What they’re saying

“Working with the committee, the most important things that needed to be done — a bunch of the signage is beyond repair. The perimeter fence and the flagpole need to be replaced. There are some headstones that need to be serviced. There is a lane that kind of goes through there that currently has pieces of PVC sticking up, and it's not real aesthetically pleasing. We found some brass fittings that will be at grade, so it'll be a little nicer looking.”

— Don Crawford, Director of Clallam County Parks, Fairs and Facilities

“Most counties aren't in the cemetery business. Usually, we have a cemetery district with a separately elected board that kind of oversees those operations. And so I think we're trying to kind of figure this out — how do we work with the volunteer board, how are decisions made, how do we budget things? And so this is kind of a start from scratch conversation.”

— Todd Mielke, Clallam County Administrator

What’s next

Next steps include building a timeline and making sure the work meets the requirements of the Historic Cemetery Grant, which is expected to be finalized later this spring.

The takeaway

This effort to restore and preserve the Port Crescent Pioneer Cemetery highlights the challenges that can arise when a county takes on the responsibility of maintaining a historic burial site, especially without a clear governance structure in place. The new grant funding provides an opportunity to address longstanding issues and ensure this important piece of Clallam County's history is properly cared for.