Saturday
2017 Annual Historic Walking Tour
Our most important fund raiser of the year! This event only happens once a year and you don't want to miss it!!
Monday
Flags for Our Soldiers-How You Can Help
Memorial Day, which falls on Monday, May 29 this year, has customarily been celebrated as a day on which those who died in active military service are remembered for their ultimate sacrifice. Cemeteries around the country and the world have traditionally honored fallen veterans by placing American flags on individual graves. That tradition has been observed for many years at Evergreen Cemetery, owned and operated by the City of Colorado Springs since 1875.
Over the years, many of the flags were generously donated by various community and civic groups, as well as by individuals from the local area. Because of our city’s strong military presence, there are thousands of veteran gravesites within the cemetery. The final resting places of military men and women who served their country from the Civil War up to the present are represented. This year, the cemetery, which has never been financially responsible for providing the flags, is asking for the community’s help to provide flags for our veterans’ graves.
Donations are being sought to purchase the 8” X 12” flags locally. A goal to raise $1000 has been set, which will purchase approximately 1,500 flags. If you, your civic and community groups, as well as corporate entities and private companies would like to donate for this tribute to our fallen warriors, contributions would be gratefully accepted. If you are interested in donating time to place the flags on veteran’s graves, your help would also be welcomed. Each year, flags that have been placed are removed by volunteers, and those in acceptable condition are reused the following year.
VIEW OUR 2017 EVENT PAGE FOR ALL THE DETAILS!
How You Can Save History! Adopt A Block
Evergreen Cemetery has the distinction of being listed
on the National Register of Historic Places, and was once revered by many
locals as "the largest outdoor rose garden in the world", whose sweet
scent could be noted as far as a mile away.
The cemetery, which covers about 220 acres, is comprised of
blocks, laid out much like a typical city. Currently there are
approximately 150 blocks, and each may contain up to several hundred
gravesites. Although the City provides basic grounds maintenance such as
irrigation and mowing, care of the monuments and sites in each block is not
provided. Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society, a non-profit partner
with the Cemetery, fills the gap through its Adopt A Block Program,
staffed solely by volunteers. The Society is seeking additional residents
to adopt a block of their choosing and become a Block Captain. 
Becoming a Block Captain is easy and rewarding. You
can select any block you wish. Typically blocks in the older sections
need more TLC, as there are fewer family members left to provide care.
Once you have chosen a block, you will receive guidelines for caring for your
adopted area. You make your own schedule, depending on your available
time. You may be involved in trimming shrubbery, small plants or roses,
picking up debris, straightening small monuments, reporting damage or
vandalism, and generally keeping the area tidy. Those with an interest in
photography may wish to photograph all the monuments in their block to
document their current condition. Training is provided periodically on the
proper methods of cleaning monuments without harming them, and repairing
minor damage. During warmer months, Block Captains solicit volunteers to
help with special project days.
Adopting a block would be an excellent way for companies or
corporations to foster group activities and team building. Schools,
clubs, teams, hobby groups, churches and many other organizations may enjoy
adopting a piece of our local history.
By adopting a block, you will enable our city to
keep the unique and beautiful legacy that is Evergreen Cemetery
enjoyable for generations to come. For more information or details about
becoming a Block Captain, please contact Dianne Hartshorn at 719-385-6251,
or Mark Robbins at 727-244-9031. Visit us on Facebook or go to Evergreencemeterysociety.com or send an email to evergreencemeterysociety@yahoo.com
Friday
JC England Remains Laid to Rest-75 Years Later
WWII Pearl Harbor Sailor to be laid to rest, Evergreen Cemetery, August 13, 2016
The England family, Evergreen Cemetery, and the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society cordially invite you to join us in honoring John Charles England, whose remains will be laid to rest after 75 years.
John Charles England, a 20 years old Navy ensign, woke that Sunday morning filled with anticipation. His young bride and three week old daughter, who he had yet to meet, were on their way to visit from the states. The exact date was December 7, 1941.
JC England was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma when Pearl Harbor was attacked. JC rescued three of his shipmates before he perished.
His remains rested in an unmarked grave in the National Cemetery in Hawaii for 75 years. Through the diligence of his granddaughter Bethany and others involved in the long process of identifying those remains, JC will finally be laid to rest next to his parents buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Join us on Saturday August 13th, as the John Charles England family, Evergreen Cemetery and the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society turn back the clocks of time to 1941 as we honor the bravery of JC England and the persistence of his family and celebrate the greatest generation.
Refreshments and celebration of JC England to follow at the Evergreen Chapel
When: Saturday August 13th, 2016
10:00 am
What: JC England Graveside Interment
Where: Evergreen Cemetery
Evergreen Cemetery
Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society
1005 Hancock Expressway
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-385-6251
Wednesday
Looking for Mr. Charles H. Pratt
Beneath the grounds of Evergreen Cemetery 80,000 stories are waiting to be told. Many of those secrets are easily discovered. Others take a little bit more digging and may prove more elusive than we planned.While researching burials during the 1930's, I discovered Charles H. Pratt who died in 1930. He is buried with his son, Eugene Pratt who died in 1939. Eugene Pratt served during WWI and has a Veterans stone.
His father, who rests behind him also served in the military, but unfortunately is
unmarked.
Charles H. Pratt enlisted on March 12, 1875 and was discharged on April 6th, 1881. He served in the 10th US Cavalry. What makes Mr. Pratt so unique and so special is he was a Buffalo Soldier. Sharing the history of the Buffalo Soldiers has been an integral part of Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society events for many years. Each Memorial Day the local 10th US Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers pay tribute to George H. Mason, who served during the Spanish American War.
To obtain a headstone for Mr. Pratt, proof of his service must be documented. The NARA (National Archives Records Administration) requests detailed documentation. Colorado Veterans Grave Registration was submitted, however, it is not considered the necessary information needed to prove his military service. After speaking with numerous sources both in Colorado as well as in Washington DC, and running into brick walls, we are sharing this story , in hopes, a descendant of Mr. Pratt, will be able to provide the necessary information we need to be able to place a VA marker on his grave.
Following is the Pratt Family information.
Charles H. Pratt DOB 1858 Maryland. He is listed as a Mulatto- he worked as a barber in a local hotel
Bettie Pratt (wife) was born in Missouri in 1865-she is listed as a dressmaker. Her parents were both born in Virginia.
Eugene Pratt was born in 1886 in Colorado (son)
Sarah Pratt Spouse
Eugene Pratt-Son born in 1918
Myrel Pratt was born in 1898 in Nebraska
Myrel Pratt Scott (married) was buried in 1931
Mr. Pratt and his family lived in Colorado Springs for many years.
It was our plan for this Memorial Day to honor Mr. Charles H. Pratt with an unveiling of his Veteran's Marker. He has lied unmarked for 86 years.
Please help us locate Mr. Pratt's family by sharing this story.
Please contact us via email at
evergreencemeterysociety@yahoo.com
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