Burton Historical Cemetery

The Burton Historical Cemetery is located on the shoreline of the Arrow Lakes, at the end of the Lower McCormack Road and one kilometer south of the Burton Historical Park, in Burton, British Columbia.

The Burton Historical Cemetery has historic value as it was established as the first cemetery in Burton in 1923; cultural value for the collective stories and contributions of the 97 residents buried at the site; spiritual value for it is a place to honour and pay respects to those people who have died; aesthetic value as it is situated on the Arrow Lakes shoreline with mountain views, and recreational value as a meeting place for community members and visitors.

The Burton Historical Cemetery has historic importance as it was established in 1923 by the Burton Women's Institute and developed as the community's first cemetery. The cemetery site maybe the only remaining landscape feature of the former Burton townsite that was not relocated, burnt or demolished by the development of the hydroelectric reservoir project. Of the ten cemeteries that were impacted by the Arrow Lakes flooding, the Burton Historical Cemetery is the most accessible and maintained.

The Burton Historical Cemetery has cultural value as it highlights the narratives and insights into past lives, social structures and cultural practices of the region. Historic records identify that 97 individuals were buried at the site, including five Indigenous people. These residents represent distinct stories and voices of Canada's First Peoples and of pioneers, including newcomers to Canada, who travelled West in search of a better life. The narratives include children who succumb to illnesses, men who worked in the early days of the logging and mining industries, families who travelled to the Arrow Lakes for the fertile agricultural land, and people who established businesses for a growing community. All of these people made contributions, both large and small, to the growth of Burton and to its unique history.

One of the most important values of the Burton Historical Cemetery is that of its' spiritual significance. The cemetery fulfills a fundamental need of communities to honour their deceased family members and friends. All cemeteries serve as places of remembrance and reflection, allowing individuals and families to mourn, pay respects and connect with their loved ones who have passed away.

The aesthetic value of the Burton Historical Cemetery includes the lakeside location on the shore of the Arrow Lakes, and its spectacular views of Mount Ingersol. A short distance from the cemetery is the remnants of the former Burton townsite and during low water, the evidence of the towns past structures is most visible. During high water events in the summer, the west section of the cemetery is typically surrounded by water. This is the perfect spot to observe wildlife, sunsets and sunrises. Native plants and trees beautify the burial area.

From a recreational point of view, the cemetery's location provides a vital community meeting place for residents and visitors to walk, cycle and swim. At the cemetery, local residents and visitors will find the entrance to the Burton Walkway. This 1km path meanders along the shoreline and through a natural area that connects walkway users to the Burton Historical Park, which is also a place of historical significance. The habitat that surrounds the cemetery supports a wide range of flora and fauna species.

The character defining elements of the Burton Historical Cemetery include its:

- 2-acre burial site of 97 Burton residents,

- Encasement of the burial grounds to protect it from flooding in the 1960s and subsequent, high water lake levels,

- Two distinct land sections or areas of the cemetery, with each section encircled by riprap or large angular rocks that serve to protect the site and its structures from high water erosion and scour,

- Cemetery sign and rock footings constructed by a Burton resident,

- Adjacency to the Burton Walkway entrance, a 1-kilometer community trail, and

- Adjacency to the Arrow Lakes shoreline, and the remnants of the former Burton townsite.