Final Grave Markers Installed in Lakewood Cemetery

Volunteers have completed a 22-year project to identify and mark the graves of 3,218 former hospital patients.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Alzheimer’s

Minimalist stone grave marker set in green grass with a distant pine tree, in a flat gouache-painted illustration style. — Volunteers with the Grave Concerns Association have finished installing final markers for 3,218 patients buried at the Lakewood park cemetery. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Volunteers have finished installing permanent name markers for patients interred at the Fort Steilacoom Park cemetery in Lakewood. This project concludes a two-decade effort to restore dignity to those buried at the site between 1879 and 1953.

Why it matters

The initiative addresses a historical stigma where patients from Western State Hospital were buried without proper identification due to the social perception of mental illness at the time. Restoring these graves provides formal recognition for individuals previously relegated to unmarked or simple markers.

A total of 3,218 patients from Western State Hospital are buried in the Fort Steilacoom Park cemetery, with the final markers installed after a 22-year restoration project. The burials span 74 years, beginning in 1879 and ending in 1953.

The players

Grave Concerns Association

This volunteer organization has dedicated two decades to documenting and restoring the historic cemetery at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Western State Hospital

This is a large psychiatric hospital located in Lakewood that served as the institution for all individuals buried at the site.

The details

Volunteers with the Grave Concerns Association mapped the graves and installed inscribed stones by hand to preserve the site. The group also dug specialized grooves around the markers to prevent vegetation overgrowth in the park.

The burial period for Western State Hospital patients occurred from 1879 to 1953.
State law prevented the publication of patient names in 2000.
The restoration project began in 2004 alongside a change in state law.
The final name markers were installed on October 10, 2026.

The Big Picture

This effort aligns with the 2004 amendment to Washington state law regarding patient record release. The project follows the precedent set by this legislative change, which allowed the access to records necessary for the site's restoration.

Residents can now visit the documented cemetery at 8714 87th Ave. SW to pay respects to the individuals buried there. The completion of this project ensures that the site remains a dignified memorial for the local community.

The takeaway

The successful marking of these graves serves as a reminder of the historical importance of preserving the memory of marginalized populations. Community members can support such initiatives by volunteering with local historical societies that manage public memorial sites.