Whatshan Mennonite Cemetery
The following is a transcription of the Whatshan Mennonite Cemetery located in Whatshan Lake, British Columbia, Canada.
- Latitude: 49o 54' 46.77" N.
- Longitude: 118o 08' 44.82" W.
Historical Background
In 1911-1912 a group of Mennonite families, primarily from Manitoba and Alberta, landed on the bank of the Arrow Lakes at Needles. They purchased land in the Whatshan Valley where some built their houses in the townsite of Carstons.
The Mennonites cleared and cultivated the land and many planted small fruits such as strawberries, gooseberries and currants. They also leased nearby land for crops for their livestock. They also built their own sawmill so that logs did not have to shipped to the mill in Castlegar.
The cemetery was established directly south of the Post Office which was established on the property of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Penner and operated by their son Isaac.
Unfortunately commercial fruit growing was not profitable and by 1917 the last of the families left the settlement.
An account of a trip to the old Mennonite cemetery at Whatshan in 2007 provided by Greg Nesteroff can be found here.
Layout
There are two marked graves with a plastic white picket fence around them.
The first is of Barbara Krebs, who died in 1913. The second is of Elizabeth Wiebe, who died in 1912. There may also be a third burial which is that of a Friesen baby who died in 1912.
Driving Directions
From the west the road to Whatshan Lake is located between Edgewood and the Needles Ferry off of Highway 6. Proceed approximately 5 km to the east of the road leading south to Edgewood, BC. Turn east (left) on Whatshan Settlement Road / Barnes Lake Road. It is the first road after the hairpin curve.
From the east, after docking at the Needles Ferry Terminal, proceed west on Highway 6 approximately 3 km and turn east (right) on Whatshan Settlement Road / Barnes Lake Road.
Drive approximately 2 km until you see the old airport hanger on the right. Parking is towards the far end of it.
The cemetery is on your left, through the bush. Look for a pond, and keep to the right. There is a path, but it may be hard to find.
Burials
The interments for the Whatshan Mennonite
Cemetery can be viewed as a pdf file here »
interments.pdf
Additional sources of information:
- BC Vital Events Index
- Edgewood History Book Committee. Just Where is Edgewood? Edgewood: Edwin Garvin Milne, (1991)
- Photos and map courtesy of Greg Nesteroff
Last updated December 2011
For more information please, contact the Cemetery Committee