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HI JOLLY CEMETERY
The cemetery is operated and maintained by the Town of Quartzsite for the purposes of providing a cemetery, historic site and park. The Hi Jolly monument is in the pioneer section of the cemetery where Quartzsite’s pioneer families were and are laid to rest. There is a new section to the cemetery also for those who chose to be interred in Quartzsite. The cemetery sits at the west end of Town and has a wonderful desert vista in every direction. There are mountain ranges and foothills to be seen from every viewpoint. The Town is committed to beautifying the cemetery and preserving this historic site.
HISTORY
Hi Jolly wasn’t his name. The famed camel driver was born Philip Tedro, a Greek born in Syria. He converted to Islam and made a pilgrimage to Mecca, hence his first name, Hadji Ali. The American version of that became Hi Jolly. It was also a better name for a camel driver, which is what he was when he first came to this country as part of a U.S. Cavalry experiment in the 1850’s. He is by far the most colorful of the camel drivers because he remained in the desert southwest and became a prospector, scout and was a courier for what was called the Jackass Mail. He was a packer, hauling freight in the area also. Hi Jolly died in December of 1902, in what in now known as Quartzsite, Arizona. In his day the town was called Tyson’s Well, but the history does not stop there. In 1934 the Arizona Department of Transportation erected a monument over his grave. His grave became the beginning of the pioneer cemetery. The monument is a favorite of visitors to Arizona. Click here for more information on Philip Tedro.
CEMETERY POLICIES
- This cemetery is for the purpose of interment of human remains or the memorial of same
- No transfer or conveyance of any interest or rights shall be valid without the written consent of the Town of Quartzsite.
- No monument or memorial tablet constructed of materials other than either bronze or stone shall be used without the written consent of the Town
- All grading, plantings, interment, disinterment, openings and closings shall be performed by the Town.
- The Town, at the expense of the grantee shall repair or remove any monuments or other memorial which is improper or offensive, or which has become dangerous or dilapidated and may remove any tree, flower and plant or other object or embellishment that becomes dangerous or unsightly.
- A provision will be made for burials of indigent as is customary, free of cost.
- The Town shall not be liable for loss or damage caused by an act of God, thieves, vandals, malicious mischief or unavoidable accidents.
- The purchaser of a plot(s) in the cemetery agrees that the Town may conduct any activity either within or without of the purchasers boundaries, which is incidental or convenient to either the care or memorializing of the human remains.
- All the above restrictions, rules and regulations listed are binding on the purchaser, heirs, administrators and assigns.
- Nothing herein contained shall restrict the Town in its use of any other portion of the cemetery than that conveyed to the purchaser, in accordance with the purpose of cemetery, park and historic site, as stated.
CEMETERY FEES
$250.00 Grave site (1 Plot)
$250.00 Opening and closing cost
$75.00 Opening and closing cost for cremation
Special assessment
weekend & holiday opening and closing.
