History
History of Ferndale Woodlawn Cemetery
The origins of Woodlawn Cemetery date back to approximately 1886, as described in the "Early History of Ferndale and Ten Mile Townships," published in 1948 by Chris C. Siegel. During this period, local community members including John D. Rogers, John Hagler, Chas. W. Matthews, Jacob Jenni Sr., William Baer, and others organized the Woodlawn Cemetery Association. Jacob Jenni Sr. He contributed significantly by donating five acres of land to the association and was also the first individual to rest there. Years later, Ferndale Township took over caring for the cemetery, which helped guarantee its preservation for the future.
Currently, Woodlawn Cemetery is part of Whatcom County Cemetery District No. 6 and is 7.46 acres. Historical records include a reference to a "Paradise Cemetery" in the July 24, 1903, edition of the Ferndale newspaper, though the article does not specify its location. There is no one today who can identify a cemetery by that name. Interestingly, Paradise School was situated across the road from the present Woodlawn Cemetery, and Paradise Church was located about one and a half miles north of the cemetery. This suggests that "Paradise" may have been an early name for Woodlawn Cemetery, especially since there was already another cemetery with the Woodlawn name.
Ferndale Woodlawn Cemetery was founded in Whatcom County in 1880. In 1910, the management of the cemetery was transferred to the City of Ferndale. The city managed the cemetery until 1930, when the newly formed Ferndale Woodlawn Cemetery Association took over administrative responsibilities. The association continued to oversee the cemetery until 2008, at which point the land was deeded back to the City of Ferndale.