The Seattle Times, Tuesday, October 27, 1998 Youth center to be built on old cemetery By Chris Solomon The dead who remain in a historic but neglected Snohomish cemetery must make way for new generations, a judge has ruled. Descendants of some who are buried in the county’s first cemetery had tried to stop the city from building a youth center on the property. They also had fought to remove an existing senior center, as well as a parking lot and a replica of a pioneer village that cover part of the 2-acre graveyard. A memorial garden should go on the spot instead, they had argued. But yesterday Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Charles French cleared the way for the youth center, ruling the property was no longer appropriate for a cemetery. “Too much time has passed and too much neglect has occurred (at the trash-strewn cemetery -- for this Court to conclude the interests of the deceased are better served by allowing them to reman in their present location,” the judge wrote in his decision. French also pointed out that a highway (Second Street, or old Highway 2) splits the graveyard, which sits near Second’s intersection with Cypress Avenue, near the Pilchuck River. The Snohomish cemetery has been the final resting spot for several Snohomish County pioneers and Native Americans since 1875. Cemetery supporters estimate that about 300 people were buried there. In his ruling, French said no more than 20 to 30 grave sites remain at the cemetery because many bodies have been removed and reburied by relatives. Only bones from one body were found in June after magnetic sensors passed over the area to find metal pieces of coffins. French ruled the land won’t lose its status as a cemetery -- and no construction can begin on a youth center - until all remains are located and reburied under a court-approved plan. A lawyer for those opposing the youth center, Thomas Haensly, said he didn’t know whether his clients would appeal the decision. Ten senior citizens, whose meeting place was threatened by the court case, showed up yesterday to hear what was good news for them. The red house they use as a senior center was moved to the site in 1992, and a parking lot added. “We essentially won -- we didn’t lose our building,” said Jack Davis, 67, president of Snohomish Seniors. Others, too, were relieved. “This is a place for several people who have no other place to go for companionship,” said Evelyne Robertson, 68. Snohomish City Manager Bill McDonald also was pleased Snohomish finally would have its first place for teens to go. “We’re facility-challenged, when it comes to youth,” McDonald said. ---------------- Chris Solomon’s phone message number is 425-745-7804. His email address is: csolomon@seattletimes.com