Silverton Historic Cemetery

Crude conditions in Silverton’s early years took a heavy toll. Typhoid was rampant, with no fresh water, fruit, vegetables or sanitation, coupled with mining accidents and mining related diseases.

Fenced in 1888, the cemetery is the burial place of a number of Silverton pioneers, including John Stokie. In 1880, John Stokie discovered the Umberumberka Mine, which is the main reason for the existence of the township of Silverton.

The cemetery is a sad reminder of the harsh living conditions of the time, with a number of children predeceasing their parents, who often joined them not long afterwards.

Very few people had the funds to erect a headstone or a fence, hence the few marked graves. The headstones which were erected came from Adelaide by bullock wagon and were often in poor condition on arrival. The marble sent was of an inferior quality and has not weathered the harsh outback climate well. It is unfortunate that the cemetery records have been lost, so there is little information as to who is buried here or where their graves are situated.

The cemetery is a Crown Reserve and is managed by the Silverton Village Committee Inc. Due to the lack of records as to where people are buried in the Historic section of the cemetery, burials are no longer permitted in this area. The Silverton Village Committee Inc., opened a new section to the east to satisfy the needs of current and ex – Silverton residents.