THE CEMETERY
History of the Hansville Cemetery
"Ole Olsen was the first of the early residents to die in 1911. Anton Husby died in 1913, Peter Husby in 1914, and John Eide in 1914. As Hansville residents began to die, it became apparent that there was a need for a cemetery for the settlement. Those who died in the very early years were buried on land on the hill above the town, which was privately owned. As the number of grave sites grew, the land was informally put aside for a town cemetery and cared for by those interested in doing so. It appears that there was an organized board of trustees for the cemetery prior to the land being formally deeded as such, as those who signed the deed were identified as trustees. On 11 January 1947, the cemetery was deeded to the Ladies’ Aid Society by owners and trustees Julia Pedersen, Erick and Mable Lefstad, and George and Mable Bruce. The deed included 1.47 acres; some of the property is on the west side of the Hansville Road and currently not used for interment. In 2009 Carl Zimmer donated an additional .53 acres on the west side of the road for the use of the cemetery. The cemetery continues to be maintained and administered by a board of trustees and the Ladies’ Aid Society, which now calls itself “Hansville Helping Hands.” The society raises funds to pay for the care of the cemetery, which currently contains almost 300 graves.”
- People of North Kitsap Peninsula, pg 104, “Hansville” by Gay Davis and Lois Lee, 2019
Hansville Cemetery Undergoes Restoration,
Recognized on Washington Heritage Register
The Hansville Cemetery, located in Kitsap County, Washington, has officially been added to the Washington Heritage Register of Historic Places, recognizing its cultural and historical significance to the Hansville community. This prestigious designation was granted on August 9, 2024, by the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), following a comprehensive 21-page application submitted in January by local historian Fred Nelson.
The application included detailed documentation of the cemetery’s founding in 1911, its connection to early Hansville settlers, and its lasting impact on the region. Historical research was supported by the Hansville Historical Society, whose archives played a key role in compiling the needed information.
In conjunction with this recognition, Hansville Helping Hands, the nonprofit organization that manages the cemetery, was awarded a $17,000 grant from DAHP to support the restoration and preservation of historic headstones. With no salaried employees and burial plots offered free of charge to residents who have lived in Hansville for at least one year, the cemetery relies entirely on donations, volunteers, and community fundraising efforts.
Restoration work was completed in July 2024 by Pacific Coast Memorials, a trusted gravestone restoration company based in Everett, WA. Nearly 100 grave markers—some dating back to the early 20th century—were professionally cleaned and restored. Among the oldest grave markers preserved were those of Ole Olson (1911), Peter Husby (1914), John Eide (1914), and Margaret Zachariason (1917). Thanks to these efforts, the cemetery’s historical character has been preserved for future generations.
The Hansville Cemetery is unique among community cemeteries in Washington State due to its nonprofit status and volunteer-driven operations. It serves as a final resting place for long-time Hansville residents and stands as a testament to the area’s rich history.
To learn more about the Hansville Cemetery, support its preservation, or volunteer with Hansville Helping Hands, contact Fred Nelson at 360-638-0000 or use the button here to get in touch.
