Entry No. 8 — the Boulder file — filed under: history
Columbia Cemetery
Boulder's oldest burial ground, founded in 1870 when Columbia Masonic Lodge No. 14 purchased ten acres for $200, Columbia Cemetery holds nearly 6,500 souls on 10.5 residential acres just west of downtown. The first burial — Anna Eggleston — was in May 1870, and the headstones that followed tell the city's whole story: Andrew Macky the banker, Mary Rippon (CU's first female professor), "Rocky Mountain Joe" Sturtevant the frontier photographer, and Tom Horn, the stock detective hanged in Wyoming whose brother quietly brought him home here. Some markers read only "Union Soldier." The wrought-iron fence, mature shade trees, and near-total absence of other visitors give the grounds an unhurried, genuinely old-city atmosphere that nowhere else in Boulder quite matches. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1997.
The story
In May 1870, Columbia Masonic Lodge No. 14 bought ten acres of ground just west of downtown Boulder for $200, buried a woman named Anna Eggleston, and inadvertently started a quiet repository of the city's darker history. Today, nearly 6,500 souls occupy these 10.5 residential acres off 9th and Pleasant. Step past the wrought-iron fence and you're in a timeline Boulder usually prefers to keep out of sight: frontier photographer 'Rocky Mountain Joe' Sturtevant, First National Bank founder Andrew Macky, and Mary Rippon, the university's first female professor whose personal life was guarded by fierce secrets.
The real intrigue sits in the details carved—or deliberately omitted—from the stones. You'll pass modest headstones marked only 'Union Soldier,' standing alongside the grave of Tom Horn, the hired gun and stock detective hanged in Wyoming in 1903 whose brother quietly brought him back to rest in Lot C-74. Nearby sits the bright red 'Lollipop Stone'—a modern marker sculpted by De Wain Valentine for little Paula Barchilon—and the headstone that read 'Jane Doe, April 1954' for 55 years until DNA analysis in 2009 restored her true name, Dorothy Gay Howard.
Because the city barred vehicle traffic from entering in 1977, Columbia Cemetery doesn't feel like a suburban memorial park; it feels like an undisturbed slice of 19th-century prairie trapped inside a neighborhood grid. Under mature shade trees, the grounds retain an unhurried, conspiratorial stillness where outlaws, gold seekers, and unnamed soldiers keep quiet company blocks away from the buzz of Pearl Street.
What it's like
Expect a serene, shaded sanctuary tucked right into a quiet residential neighborhood. Because vehicles have been locked out since 1977, the crusher-fines path is entirely pedestrian-focused, flat, and easy to navigate on foot or wheels. Your best tactic is to photograph the plot map posted near the gate as soon as you enter so you can hunt down specific markers without getting lost in the rows. Dusk is the ideal time to wander under the canopy as local crows gather, but plan to wrap up before dark when the gates close.
The move: Walk the crusher-fines path at dusk with a downloaded plot map from the city website — hunt for Tom Horn's stone, the red "Lollipop" marker, and the anonymous Union Soldier lots. Quiet, free, and unsettling in the best possible way.
📍 Before you go Open dawn to dusk, no admission fee. No vehicle access — gates have been closed to cars since 1977. Street parking along College Ave. and Pleasant St. A plot map is posted just inside the entrance; photograph it to navigate the grounds. Wheelchair-accessible crusher-fines path with a gradual grade. The city runs an annual "Meet the Spirits" Halloween walking tour in October — check bouldercolorado.gov for dates. Pets must be leashed.
- 📍 Boulder
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 9th Street and Pleasant Street, Boulder, CO 80302
Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Sink — Walk four blocks south up University Hill from Mary Rippon's grave to grab a beer inside Boulder's oldest bar, open since 1923.
- Hotel Boulderado — Trace Boulder's turn-of-the-century history under a mile down the road, where this 1909 landmark keeps local lore alive under stained glass.
- The Bitter Bar — After lurking among old frontier tombstones, walk five blocks down Walnut Street to hide out behind the unlabelled front door of this craft cocktail haunt.
- Boulder Alley Gallery — Contrast 19th-century carved marble with modern outdoor art by taking a quick stroll toward the downtown service alleys.
Good to know
How much does it cost to visit Columbia Cemetery, and what are the hours?
Admission is completely free, and the grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk. Be sure to confirm current operating hours before visiting.
Where should I park when visiting?
Vehicles have been prohibited inside the gates since 1977, so there is no drive-in parking. You will need to use street parking along Pleasant Street or College Avenue surrounding the perimeter.
Are dogs allowed in the cemetery?
Yes, dogs are permitted on the grounds as long as they are kept on a leash at all times.
How do I locate specific graves like Tom Horn's or the Lollipop Stone?
A detailed plot map is posted just inside the entrance gate; snap a photo of it with your phone or download the map from the city website in advance to locate specific lots.
Are there guided tours available?
The City of Boulder holds an annual 'Meet the Spirits' walking tour every October around Halloween, featuring costumed historical interpreters. Check bouldercolorado.gov for specific dates and ticketing info.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: bouldercolorado.gov · historycolorado.org · findagrave.com · colorado.edu · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-11