Greenwood Pioneer Cemetery abounds with history of Canon City's forefathers that came together to form the community that exists today. The land where the cemetery lies was donated by William C. Catlin (1825-1896). The first recorded burial was on June 16, 1865. When viewing the area please know that this cemetery is full and there are no open plots rather unmarked, damaged headstones or missing from natural conditions over time.

In 2014 the Greenwood Pioneer Cemetery was granted a National Historic Site Designation meaning no new structures are allowed in the Cemetery only restoration and repair of what already exists. Before this honorable designation students from both the Florence High School and Canon City High School Metal Shop classes made the white crosses with gold plates engraved with the individual's name and year of death for some of those buried here.

Within the Cemetery there are a number of Veterans which served during the Civil War with both Confederate and Union soldiers, Spanish American War, War of 1812, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. On every Veteran's Day, flags wave in remembrance of their service.

There are three sections with Colorado State Penitentiary inmates located in Sections 18, 19 and 23. Locally it is known that a section of the cemetery for said inmates went by Woodpecker Hill (Sections 18 and 19 only) due to woodpeckers pecking the wood markers until they were destroyed. The last inmate burial was in 1967.

The Pauper Field and Catholic Section of which you will find when researching the cemetery records are Section 15 and 16 where the majority are without a marker or headstone.

There are a number of organizational markers throughout the Cemetery indicating their membership. In addition, inside the gate on both sides are eight Mason Sections.

Please refer to the kiosk to locate the map along with the name of the person you are trying to locate.

The grounds are left natural to the environment as a long time decision to not use water to maintain it in a groomed state. Canon City Parks and Recreation maintain the cemetery now following multiple individual Cemetery Caretakers that gave freely of their time to care for the grounds with some you will find are buried here. 

Over many years the volunteers have come and gone that researched, photographed, wrote books, and provided their due diligence in bringing together the history of this cemetery. To them we all owe them a debt of gratitude for caring for our loved ones. 

To research and learn more about these pioneers and those that are buried here please visit Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center in Canon City, Fremont, Colorado. They have a wealth of historical facts regarding this cemetery and those that are here.