History
Benton Avenue Cemetery, located in Helena, Montana, was established by the Lewis and Clark County commissioners in 1870. It quickly became Helena's primary nonsectarian Protestant burial ground. The cemetery's origins are even older, as remains from the original mining camp cemetery on Warren Street were disinterred and reburied here in 1875, with some graves dating back to the 1860s. This relocation was necessitated by the construction of Central School.
Throughout the late 19th century, the cemetery saw frequent interments, reflecting the growth and challenges of the early community. Poignant memorials to children attest to the heavy toll of epidemics during this period. Notable early Helenans, such as John Kinna (Helena's first mayor), Lewis Reeder (builder of Reeder's Alley), and Edwin Toole (brother of Montana's first governor), are interred here. The presence of Masons, particularly in the northeast section, highlights their significant role in the state's foundation, with many stones predating statehood marked 'M.T.' for Montana Territory. Veterans from various military branches are also buried within its grounds.
After 1900, the active history of Benton Avenue Cemetery began to wane, with fewer new interments. The symbolic end of its active period is marked by the installation of an iron fence in 1928. By 1966, the cemetery had fallen into neglect, becoming overgrown with debris. However, a significant preservation effort was initiated by Helenan Lucy Baker, who organized volunteers to restore the site. This work continued with the reorganization of the Benton Avenue Cemetery Association in 1998, which has since taken the lead in maintaining this historic landmark. The cemetery was re-dedicated in 1968 after an extensive clean-up and restoration, and in 2003, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, fulfilling Lucy Baker's vision. The grounds are maintained to preserve the original 19th-century plant life, and it is surrounded by a wrought iron fence with pedestrian and automobile gates. The Benton Avenue Cemetery Association, with the help of E Clampus Vitus, continues to repair damaged markers and maintain the grounds, ensuring the preservation of this important historical site.
Rimini, Montana, is a historic mining district and ghost town located in Lewis and Clark County, approximately 12 miles west of Helena. The mining district, also known by names such as Lewis and Clark, Tenmile, Vaughn, Colorado, and Bear Gulch, saw its first silver lode discoveries in 1864. However, significant development and a population boom didn't occur until 1885, when the Northern Pacific Railroad constructed a spur line to the town, facilitating ore transportation. Originally settled by Irish miners in the late 1860s and initially called "Young Ireland," the town was renamed Rimini in 1883 after Governor Schuyler Crosby saw a play about Francesca da Rimini. At its peak around 1890, Rimini boasted a population of approximately 300 residents and featured numerous businesses, including hotels, stores, a school, saloons, and a church. The mines in the district were highly productive, reportedly yielding up to $7 million in various ores. Beyond its mining history, Rimini played a unique role during World War II as the site of Camp Rimini, training sled and pack dogs for the U.S. Army's K-9 Corps. Today, Rimini has a small year-round population and is part of a Superfund site due to historical mining waste, with ongoing remediation efforts.
Landscape and markers
The cemetery is a physical record of the harshness of the frontier. The dates carved into the markers tell a story of brief booms and sudden collapses, of winters that took the young and mining accidents that took the strong. To walk among these graves is to feel the immense weight of the past pressing down on the present landscape.
Who is buried here
The stones here tell the story of the settlement. John Kinna: Helena's first mayor, died October 4, 1887. He was a prominent merchant in Helena. Lewis A. Reeder (1835-1884): Builder of Reeder's Alley in Helena, a collection of row house apartments for miners and single men. Born September 28, 1835, died August 26, 1884. Edwin Toole: Brother of Joseph K. Toole, Montana's first governor. He moved to Helena before 1880. Demographic patterns: The cemetery contains poignant memorials to children, indicating the heavy toll of epidemics in the early community. There are also graves of veterans from the U.S. Army, including some who served in the Civil War. The presence of Masons is strong in the northeast section.
Visiting
Benton Avenue Cemetery is located in Helena, Montana, on Benton Avenue, directly across from the Carroll College PE Center. The walk-in gates are always open during daylight hours. The cemetery is situated on a 10-acre lot on the edge of town. It is surrounded by a wrought iron fence with two unlocked pedestrian gates and one locked automobile gate. The grounds are maintained to preserve the original 19th-century plant life. Visitors can expect to see a variety of grave markers, including weathered headstones, larger wooden obelisks, and iron fences enclosing family plots. There are also historic and modern informational signs. The Benton Avenue Cemetery Association actively works to repair damaged and vandalized grave markers and maintain the grounds.