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All the United States Colorado Black Hawk Knights of Pythias Cemetery

Knights of Pythias Cemetery

The burial grounds of a secret society includes fences topped with fake Tesla balls.

Black Hawk, Colorado

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Twin Cities Fancy
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The cemetery.   Twin Cities Fancy / Atlas Obscura User
Daisy on Memorial   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Monument at Sunset   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Flowers in Cemetery Meadow   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance to Knights of Pythias Forest Cemetery   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Central City Cemetery Gate   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Pinecone Grave   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
The Path into the Forest   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Obelisk Grave   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Impromptu Grave Site   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Dreamcatchers and other Remembrances at Site off Path   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
The cemetery.   Twin Cities Fancy / Atlas Obscura User
Above the entrance.   Twin Cities Fancy / Atlas Obscura User
The cemetery.   Twin Cities Fancy / Atlas Obscura User
Body mounds.   Twin Cities Fancy / Atlas Obscura User
Inner Sanctuary   jesseralejandro / Atlas Obscura User
Tesla balls.   Twin Cities Fancy / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The dead brothers of a secret fraternal society lie buried within a tiny Colorado town. Their sliver of cemetery is surrounded by other graveyards, all part of a sprawling burial grounds located near a historic mining settlement. 

The Knights of Pythias, which was founded in 1864, was the first United States fraternal organization to receive a charter from Congress. The organization’s creation was inspired by a play written by Irish poet John Banim. The play was about the legend of Damon and Pythias, which centers on themes of loyalty and friendship. Originally, new members were gifted a sword upon their induction (though that tradition no longer occurs).

The organization was born in Washington, D.C., though it spread across the continent as more and more pioneers moved westward in search of jobs and gold on the frontier. Now, there are roughly 2,000 lodges, as well as many cemeteries, scattered across the country.

This Colorado cemetery houses a handful of older graves, all backdropped by spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Some are surrounded by small fences topped with Tesla balls as a nod to Tesla, who built an experimental station in a nearby town. The remains of an old mining structure also rust on the site. 

It is located across from an Independent Order of the Odd Fellows cemetery, another noteworthy fraternal society. This burial site is worth exploring, too. Body mounds curve skyward and, according to some, ghostly spirits lurk among the grounds.

Related Tags

Cemeteries Graveyards Burial Places Societies Secret Society

Know Before You Go

Take your time and visit this one and the one across the dirt road. There is so much history and trying to imagine the hardships of these pioneers leaves you in awe. Also, if you are a ghost hunter, bring equipment. There seem to be things that make your cell phone die or go on and off for no reason.

Community Contributors

Added By

Twin Cities Fancy

Edited By

erjeffery, Caryl S, jesseralejandro

  • erjeffery
  • Caryl S
  • jesseralejandro

Published

March 12, 2018

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  • https://billiongraves.com/cemetery/Knights-of-Pythias-Cemetery/132038
  • https://www.google.com/maps/@39.8085165,-105.5329363,17z
Knights of Pythias Cemetery
Upper Apex Rd
Black Hawk, Colorado
United States
39.809063, -105.530267
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