Clarks Fork Valley Museum

Discover the intriguing history of the Gebo Cemetery, an essential landmark situated west of Fromberg, Montana. This site stands as the sole remaining testament to the town of Gebo, a once-flourishing mining community founded in 1894 after Samuel Gebo's discovery of coal. The town quickly expanded, featuring a post office, school, newspaper, boarding houses, and saloons; however, its success was short-lived, leading to its decline by 1912.

The cemetery itself commemorates around 240 individuals, primarily interred around the turn of the 20th century. A captivating mystery surrounds the identity of the very first person laid to rest here. Early reports from 1897 indicate that the initial burial was an infant child belonging to local miner, Mr. and Mrs. Henry McCullough’s, an event widely covered by regional newspapers at the time.

Contrarily, a conflicting account from January 1898 in the *Carbon County Sentinel* describes the burial of five-year-old Lela Nattie Harlan in the "Gebo burying grounds," explicitly stating she was "the first to occupy the place."

We are committed to uncovering and preserving the rich history of Gebo Cemetery. This significant landmark is the resting place of 11military veterans, including a fighter from the Spanish-American War, and serves as a vital resource on Find a Grave.

We welcome your contributions to this important endeavor. If you have any historical records, photographs, or personal stories related to Gebo or its cemetery, your insights would be greatly appreciated.

Please share your knowledge with us at gebocem@hotmail.com, the Clarks Fork Valley Museum in Fromberg, or through our Facebook page. Your support ensures that these important stories continue to be remembered.