Historical and heritage value
In 1887 the Council purchased 13 acres of land on the corner of what is now Bluff Road and Coles Beach Road (formerly Laycocks Road). Prior to this the deceased were ferried across the river to be interred at East Devonport or conveyed to the Congregational Cemetery Church at the Don.
The facility serviced the needs of Formby (Devonport) residents, including many early pioneers of Devonport whom are buried there along with some who have state-wide significance, notable examples being:
- George Renison Bell (discovered tin mine at Zeehan)
- John Jacques (first lighthouse keeper of the Bluff Lighthouse)
- Beaumont Laycock (initiated the cemetery construction and an Overseer of Council)
- Foster Leek (proprietor of the iconic Foster Leek Tea Rooms and Museum
- John Luck, David Cocker, Caleb Hillier and Robert Masterman (pioneer businessmen and builders)
- Wife and son of Bartholomew W Thomas (pioneer farmer)
- George Williams and Harry Wood (boat builders)
The cemetery became full around the time of the First World War and was closed in 1922, other than for burials in family plots. Due to ongoing degradation and maintenance issues, the cemetery was converted to park land around 1963 and the remaining headstones were relocated together in one corner. A list of the names of those interred can be found on this page.
Status | Closed |
Local/State/National Significance | Local significance |
Title Details/Lot Numbers/Site Characteristics | Located at the Mersey Bluff Headland |
Address | Mersey Bluff, Devonport |
Public Open Space Classification | Formal park land |
Cemetery Type | Monumental |
First Recorded Burial | 25 October 1887 – Mr Thomas Lloyd |
Number of Recorded Burials | Over 450 known, some headstones are missing due to deterioration |
Number of Reservations | Nil |
Denomination | Non denominational |