Description of Historic Place

The Clinton Pioneer Cemetery is located on a hill at the northern end of Clinton, British Columbia, just off Highway 97. There are over 350 grave sites on the property. The Village acquired the land in 2014.

Heritage Value

The Cemetery is valued for its connection with Clinton's history. It was established on land originally owned by Joseph Smith, circa 1861. Smith donated the four-acre hill to Clinton's pioneer families in 1911. The cemetery was operated and maintained for many years by the South Cariboo Historical Society and since 2009 by the Village of Clinton. There are burials in the cemetery dating back to the late 1800s. Several generations of families have been buried in the cemetery which has created a historical link to the future and past of the community.

The cemetery also has historical significance because of its location on the Gold Rush Trail and because some of the people who are buried on site were very influential in moving goods along the road to Barkerville. The Community of Clinton originated because of the Gold Rush Trail and has many ties to Barkerville and all the communities along the route.

Source: Village of Clinton - Village Office

Character-Defining Elements

Key character-defining elements of the Clinton Pioneer Cemetery include:
- Location on a hill near the northern end of town
- Headstones and grave markers
- Landscaping, such as trees and hedges