Porto Rico Doukhobor Cemetery - Ymir, British Columbia
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T0SHEA
N 49° 19.572 W 117° 14.747
11U E 482140 N 5463747
Porto Rico Doukhobor Cemetery is located 6.5 km north of Ymir. Detailed directions are provided in the long description to locate the cemetery. Bush whacking is required and terrain at least a 4. Finding this cemetery is NOT for the faint of heart.
Waymark Code: WMHMEX
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 07/23/2013
Views: 10
This cemetery may have been established by the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood to serve its logging camp at Porto Rico from 1921 to 1926. It is known to have been used by Sons of Freedom Doukhobors interned at the abandoned camp from 1929 to 1931. Thereafter, the cemetery ceased to be actively used and is now badly overgrown. It is now owned by the Crown.
The cemetery is approximately a tenth of an acre in size and is unenclosed. There is dense scrub, brush and trees throughout. The cemetery contains seven interments in a single section comprised of two rows facing east-west. The graves are all unmarked; however, the mounds are still clearly visible. Six of the unmarked graves are identified though oral tradition.
We did locate the cemetery and tried to photograph the mounds that are still remaining. There were rocks located in certain areas, but could not determine if these were remains of grave markers. Someone has tied surveyor tape around several of the trees marking the perimeter of the cemetery.
To access the cemetery you will need to park at the bridge located very close to Porto Rico - Ymir Road and Hwy. 6. There is ample room to park at the bridge.
Driving Directions
To access the cemetery from Nelson, travel south on Highway No. 6 for 22.7 km. Pass the right-hand (west-bound) turnoff to Porto-Rico-Ymir Road, go over the Barret Creek Bridge and stop at the left-hand (east-bound) turnoff to Porto-Rico-Ymir Road. Or, to access the cemetery from Ymir, travel north on Highway No. 6 for 6 km and stop at the right-hand (east-bound) turnoff to Porto-Rico-Ymir Road.
In either case, park at the turnoff and continue on foot. Proceed west, crossing Highway 6 and then following the power line for approximately 20 meters until it reaches the main power line. Then walk approximately 15 meters south (left) until reaching a large rock, about a meter in diameter. From the rock, continue up the hillside for approximately 125 metres. The cemetery is located at the top of the hill.
At the time we were there someone had cleared a fairly wide path along the power line. The opening does start close to the Hwy. If you follow this pathway you will see the large rock then you will have to bush whack up the hill about 200 meters; look for the red tape on several of the trees.
I have left both instructions as things do change over the years. The coordinates are spot on, if we did not have these coordinates we would not have found it. So when in doubt, use your GPS as a guide.
Earliest Burial: 01/01/1921
Latest Burial: 01/01/1931
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Visit Instructions:
Take a photo of at least one grave marker and including a qualitative and quantitative description
Recent Visits/Logs:
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