White Rose Cemetery
Enriching our future by caring for our past.
The mission of the White Rose Cemetery is to commemorate lives in surroundings of beauty and tranquility that provide comfort and inspiration to bereaved families, friends and the community.
WHITE ROSE HISTORY
In October 1898, the City of Bartlesville set out to establish a City Cemetery. On Feb. 24, 1899 a cemetery was laid out south of town. At first it was called the City Cemetery, later Union Cemetery and then about 1905 it became White Rose Cemetery.
On April 29, 1904, the Cherokee Nation deeded 10 acres known as McCaleb’s Addition to the Incorporated town of Bartlesville, Indian Territory for land to be used for a cemetery. The cemetery now totals about 20 acres and holds more than 12,000 graves.
The earliest recorded burial was of two-month-old Golda M. Hartman, who died Feb. 17, 1893. The first recorded sale of a plot was that of George Johnson in September 1906.
In 1900, the first Memorial Day celebration to honor service men and women who are buried at White Rose was held. These services are still held each year on Memorial Day.
In March 1907, the Bartlesville Ladies Cemetery Association was organized to cooperate in the care and improvement of the cemetery. In October of 1999, the Bartlesville City Council appointed a White Rose Cemetery Board as an advisory board to the City in connection with preservation, beautification and enhancement of the grounds.
In 2003, White Rose held the first annual Luminary Service held during the month of November. The purpose of this service, held before the beginning of the holiday season, is to honor and remember loved ones. In 1900 the first Memorial Day celebration to honor service men and women who are buried at White Rose was held. These services are still held each year on Memorial Day.
MAUSOLEUM
In 1921, the Bartlesville city commissioners and C.E. Bryan, manager of the Bartlesville Mausoleum Company, reached an agreement to begin the construction of a mausoleum at White Rose Cemetery. Hugh Bryant, Bartlesville merchant, financier and pioneer businessman was the founder and owner of the mausoleum.
The 15,000-square-foot Mausoleum Building is in the Greek Neoclassic style, housing more than 500 crypts. It is constructed of concrete with white stone exterior, the roof of vitrified tile and the entire interior made of white marble. The windows are made of ornamental leaded glass and the doors and the gates of bronze.
In 1954, the Mausoleum Association entered into a trust agreement with the City, whereby the mausoleum was turned over to the City.
Bryant died in 1958 and was buried in the mausoleum with Masonic Rites.
NAME LISTING & ONLINE SEARCH
To find names and locations of White Rose Cemetery burials, use our Online Burial Search.
In the process of transferring data, some inaccuracies or omissions will occur. Please notify the White Rose Cemetery staff at whiterose@cityofbartlesville.org to report any errors.
These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation. Individuals are encouraged to use the material for research, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for any reason other than personal research must obtain the written consent of the City of Bartlesville.
CEMETERY ROADS
Cemetery roads are named in honor of Bartlesville pioneers buried at White Rose Cemetery. The newly named roads and accompanying signs were dedicated on Memorial Day 2001 by then-Mayor Ted Lockin.
Click here to learn more and view the cemetery map.
WHITE ROSE CEMETERY BOARD
The City of Bartlesville maintains White Rose Cemetery and a City Council-appointed citizens advisory Board makes recommendations concerning improvements and beautification projects at the cemetery. The board also oversees planning for annual events at White Rose, including a Memorial Day ceremony, Mausoleum Stories and a Luminary Service.
BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS
To join in preserving and beautifying our Indian Territory-era cemetery and the history it represents by donating to the Beautification Projects Fund, send tax deductible donations to:
White Rose Cemetery Beautification Project
600 S. Johnstone Ave.
Bartlesville, OK 74006
(Credit Cards accepted for donations of $40.00 or more at the Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Ave.)
CONTACT WHITE ROSE
White Rose Cemetery is located at 804 W. 11th St. in Bartlesville. The cemetery office is housed at the Bartlesville Public Library, Local and Family History Room, at 600 S. Johnstone Ave.
Cemetery office hours are:
- 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday & Tuesday
- 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday
- 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every other Friday & Saturday
Contact White Rose Cemetery
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