Buena Vista's Mt. Olivet Cemetery Comes Alive for Lantern Tour
The Mt. Olivet Cemetery tour features stories from the lives of prospectors, madams, and sheriffs who lived in Chaffee County.
The first tour took place in 2004, brainchild of former executive director Kathi Perry. Founding member Sue Kelly helped Perry develop the cemetery tours.
“She had read a lot of history of the different people who are buried out here. Every small town — every town — but small towns in particular have people who knew people when they lived here.”
Kelly describes the tour experience:
“So as you walk through the cemetery, you'll come up on somebody dressed in a costume,”This year's guide is played by Pam Gonzalez, who will interact with visitors as they explore the cemetery.
Author's note: Historical reenactors bring Buena Vista's past to life.