In the largely untamed wilderness of Newton County, along the northwest section of the Cecil Cove Trail within the Buffalo National River Park, lies the Jones Cemetery--a small, fenced plot shrouded in mystery and history.
This isolated family cemetery, containing just 19 graves, 12 with legible stones, has recently captured the attention of local historians and genealogists for its intriguing burials, spanning over a century of Ozark life. With its oldest known interment dating back to the mid-19th century and its newest as recent as the late 20th century, the cemetery offers a haunting glimpse into the lives of early settlers in this remote corner of the state.
Jones Cemetery, located at approximate coordinates 36.09.618N, 93.26.740W, is a challenging destination. Tucked away in a heavily wooded area, it’s accessible only by foot, requiring a trek through the dense forest of the national park.
Maintained by the National Park Service since the Buffalo National River was established in 1972, the cemetery’s small size belies its historical significance.
“It’s a snapshot of pioneer life,” said local historian Sarah Tillman. “These graves tell stories of resilience, tragedy, and the passage of time in a place where survival was never guaranteed.”
The oldest legible marker in Jones Cemetery belongs to Mary Elizabeth Jones, who died on April 12, 1858, at the age of 32. Believed to be part of the Jones family that lent its name to the site, her headstone--crudely carved yet remarkably preserved--reads simply, “Gone to Rest"
Little is known about Mary beyond her stone, but census records from the 1850s suggest she may have been the wife of a farmer who settled in the area following Arkansas’s statehood in 1836. Historians speculate she succumbed to childbirth complications or a common frontier illness like tuberculosis, both rampant in the Ozarks during that era. “
Her burial marks the beginning of this cemetery’s story,” Tillman noted. “She was likely one of the first white settlers to call this valley home.”
In stark contrast, the most recent burial is that of William “Bill” Jones, laid to rest on in 2020 at age 67. His marker, a modest granite slab, identifies him as a “Loving Husband and Father.”
Local lore, pieced together from Newton County oral histories, paints Bill as a descendant of the original Jones settlers--a farmer and Korean War veteran who lived quietly near Jasper until his death from lung cancer. His burial in the family plot, long after the area became park land, required special permission from the National Park Service
Among the 19 graves, several stand out for their unique stories:
Thomas J. Jones (1840–1863): A young Confederate soldier, his headstone notes he “Fell at Shiloh.” Historical records confirm he died during the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, but his body was returned to Newton County for burial a year later--a rare and arduous feat during the Civil War. His grave, marked by a weathered obelisk, is one of the cemetery’s most poignant relics. He headstone also reflects the date of his burial and not his date of death.
Infant Twins (1872): Two small stones, side by side, mark the graves of unnamed twins born and died on March 15, 1872. The simplicity of the markers—“Baby Jones”—belies the heartbreak they represent, a common tragedy in an era of limited medical care.
Eldora Jones (1885–1920): Known locally as “the healer,” Eldora’s grave features an unusual inscription: “She Cured with Hands and Herbs.” Family stories passed down through generations claim she was a midwife and herbalist who served the scattered homesteads along the Buffalo River. Her death at 35, possibly from influenza during the 1918 pandemic, left a void in the community.
The individuals interred here were likely part of a tight-knit clan that farmed the fertile valleys and hunted the surrounding hills. Census fragments and land deeds suggest they owned property near Cecil Cove in the mid-1800s, though most traces of their homesteads have vanished into the forest.
Today, Jones Cemetery remains a quiet, overlooked spot, its graves slowly succumbing to moss and time. The National Park Service has no plans to expand access, preserving its solitude--a fitting tribute to the hardy souls resting there
. For those willing to make the hike, it offers a tangible link to Newton County’s past, from the pioneer days of Mary Elizabeth Jones to the modern echoes of William “Bill” Jones.
For more information on visiting Jones Cemetery, contact the Buffalo National River Park Service office in Jasper.
Bring sturdy boots, a map, and a sense of wonder (and wander) --the Ozarks’ secrets don’t reveal themselves easily.
