Mount Olive Cemetery, Laurel, Oregon

Date: 6 Feb 1878 [unknown]
Location: Laurel, Washington, Oregon, United States

In the late 1800's Alfred and Mary Jane Mulloy gave two acres of land on the north side of their homestead to be used for a Baptist Church and burial ground.

During the summer of 1878, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church building was erected. Church services were held until 1916. After that time, the church building was used primarily for funeral services until it was demolished in 1953.

The ground around the church was used as a cemetery. By date of death John A. McFee appears to be the first person buried in this cemetery, although the cemetery wasn't officially established until 6 February 1878 according to FindAGrave.com or 5 February 1878 according to the cemetery's own website. According to the cemetery's website, they had their first burial in 1879, the infant child of the John W. Fleming family, Claud Fleming. The land was plotted for burial lots in 1880 and on 28 May 1892, it was declared a public cemetery and named "Mt. Olive Cemetery."

Incorporation of the cemetery took place on 21 April 1931 and the name "Mt. Olive Cemetery Association of Laurel, Oregon" was adopted. In 1957, a fund was established and the revenue from this fund is used to help maintain the cemetery.

Perhaps the most famous person buried here is Roy Eugene Heater who became the world champion pole-vaulter at the 1905 AAU Track and Field Championships. "The Oregonian" newspaper wrote that Heater was "recognized as the best all-around athlete ever turned out in the Northwest."

This is an active cemetery serving the Laurel community and is managed by a local board.