Echoes & Honor: The History and Mystery of Silver Cliff Cemetery
- KCStark
- May 26
- 3 min read
By KC Stark
Tucked at the edge of town beneath the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Silver Cliff Cemetery is more than just a final resting place—it’s one of Colorado’s most legendary sites, blending the reverence of a veterans’ cemetery with a haunting history that’s captivated generations.
If you’ve ever driven down Mill Street just south of Highway 96 in Silver Cliff, Colorado, you’ve probably passed the iron gates without realizing you’re steps away from one of the most historic and mysterious cemeteries in the West. Even National Geographic thought so in 1969!
A Cemetery Born from the Boomtown Era ⚒️⚰️
The Silver Cliff Cemetery dates back to the early 1880s, during the height of the Silver Rush that gave the town its name. This was a time when Silver Cliff was booming with miners, merchants, and families hoping to strike it rich—and like many mining towns, tragedy came with the territory.
What makes this cemetery unique is its layout: it’s divided into two sections—
The Catholic cemetery, known for its stone cross monuments
The Cross of the Assumption Cemetery, for Protestant burials
I wonder how the graves are marked for anyone that is not Catholic or Protestant? I’ll find out, I reckon.
Together, they span several acres and hold the stories of miners, pioneers, children, veterans, and town founders. And yes—it’s still active today.
Final Honors: A Place for Veterans 🇺🇸
Though not an official “national” veterans’ cemetery, Silver Cliff Cemetery holds the graves of dozens of U.S. military veterans from World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Each Memorial Day, the cemetery becomes a sacred ground of remembrance. Flags are placed, names are read, and families gather to honor those who served—not just as part of Westcliffe’s history, but as part of America’s.
If you visit around Memorial Day weekend, take a moment at the rows of flag-marked headstones. You’ll feel it—the silence that speaks volumes.
Memorial Day at Silver Cliff Community Park 🇺🇸
Today, the heart of Custer County will gather at Silver Cliff Community Park for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony, hosted by American Legion Post 170 and Auxiliary Unit 170.
Held at 957 French Street at 10:00 a.m., the event was a powerful reminder that remembrance doesn’t just happen in cemeteries—it happens in communities.
Local veterans, families, and neighbors will stand together under the open sky, honoring those who gave their lives in service to our country. Flags will be raised, names will be read, and the message is clear: we remember, and we honor.
This park, just blocks from the historic Silver Cliff Cemetery, carries its own quiet weight—a place where gratitude is spoken, where stories are shared, and where the next generation learns why Memorial Day matters.
The Mystery That Made Headlines 👻✨
What really put Silver Cliff Cemetery on the map, though, wasn’t just its age or its veterans—it was the ghost lights.
Locals have reported seeing strange dancing blue lights in the cemetery since the 1880s. Described as glowing orbs or floating lanterns, the lights move erratically between the gravestones. That’s one long tale of ghosts!
The phenomenon gained national attention when it was featured in the August 1969 issue of National Geographic, and to this day, visitors still report seeing the lights—especially under clear skies.
Whether it’s the spirits of the old miners or just atmospheric trickery, no one knows for sure. But it adds a layer of mystique that sets this cemetery apart from any other in the Rockies! I wonder if the dancing lights would dance with me? I do have a guitar.
Visit Custer County and Silver Cliff Co Today - Take Steps Back in Time.
📍 Location: End of Mill Street, Silver Cliff, CO (just south of Hwy 96)
Comentarios