Not much remains of the Geer Cemetery, and there are very few references to it. The only reason I discovered it was by browsing FindAGrave.com, and the lack of information intrigued me. While I did find some photos and a YouTube video, I needed to go see it for myself and take some photos. 

This is one of many pioneer cemeteries that dot the Western United States. These were typically set up on homesteads when the need arose, and entire families and their neighbors would be buried in that centralized location. A major downside of being placed on private property is that the care and maintenance varies depending on the property owner. Many of these cemeteries are registered with the state, but plenty of others remain obscure or have gone back to nature. If the cemetery stays in the family, it is usually well maintained and respected (and possibly still used). In more unfortunate cases they are neglected, vandalized, and even destroyed by future landowners.

Geer Cemetery is somewhere in the middle. It is registered with the state as a historic cemetery, but it is severely overgrown with blackberries and almost nothing remains. A couple of headstones, some pieces of marble and concrete, and a metal military veteran memorial are all that visibly remain. In the underbrush there may be more evidence of headstones, but that was all I could see and capture on camera on the day I visited back in January of 2024.

The most notable burial here is that of Joseph Carey Geer, one of Oregon's few War of 1812 veteran burials. The most recent burial is that of Alfred Marion McCully, who was laid to rest on July 3rd, 1926. When the intersection at SW Ladd Hill Road and SW Wilsonville Road was being upgraded in the late 2000's, ODOT surveyors reportedly claimed that at least 26 bodies were found with detection equipment before they performed their work (to, of course, avoid disturbing the cemetery.) 

Getting to this cemetery is difficult, as it is not apparent from the road exactly where it is, and it feels like trespassing. I parked in the median island at the road intersection, crossed the road into the ditch, and climbed up a little rabbit-trail. There is a road that goes onto the farm adjacent to the cemetery, but I did not risk utilizing it as I knew the cemetery was public property and I would be legal getting there by doing my little hike (the farm road is on private property). I highly advise wearing long pants and boots, as the blackberries grow huge. For reference, see the satellite image to the left where I draw the route I took.

I am glad to have had the chance to document this cemetery, but it is also depressing to see the condition it is in. From looking at older photos on FindAGrave, it appears at one point the area was cleared and there were more markers visible. Considering how difficult it is to find, with no physical indication that it is here, plus the lack of easy access, it is no wonder it is in such poor condition. Even though I was legally allowed to be there, I was concerned with both the landowners nearby and passing drivers, as they may think someone climbing up to the cemetery is up to no good. Historically there has also been a lot of vandalism at the site, which may also concern nearby residents and make them apprehensive of visitors.