The Eugene Masonic Cemetery (Eugene, Oregon) was established in 1859. The settlers who laid out the cemetery brought with them from the east the concept then called the Rural Cemetery Movement. The graves were placed among scenes of great natural beauty and visitors were encouraged to stroll there as if in a park. Here are buried Eugene F. Skinner, the city's founder, and many other founding fathers and early pioneers in the area. The cemetery sits on a hill top in east Eugene. It is filled with majestic Douglas firs and other trees, as well as more than 65 native plants such as Oregon grape, thimbleberry, Oregon iris, and snow berry. The flowers grow profusely over and between the grave sites. Unfortunately, in an all-too-familiar story, over the years the cemetery has suffered from neglect and vandalism. In recent years the Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association has been working to restore and protect this historic treasure. Both the cemetery and the Hope Abbey Mausoleum are on the National Register of Historic Places. I took these pictures on February 14, 2009, the 150th birthday of the State of Oregon. The day was cold, dark, and showery so conditions were not the best for photography, and I was using a camera of modest capabilities. But I wanted a record of having been at this important place on this important anniversary in our state's history. I have added a second batch of pictures taken on April 24, 2009. The weather was not much better but I was using a different camera.