The acquisition of land and the first interments in Friendship Cemetery took place in the early 1920's.  There are markers dated 1925, about the time the Friendship Cemetery Company was organized.  The formal plat was commissioned by James Ferguson, the civil engineer. Eventually, Ferguson's son, Neil, took charge of the cemetery.

Since the original plat, the drives in the cemetery have been extended and more have been added.  This permits more efficient access to plots in sections where burials take place. In 1926, the plat named the current Shady Grove Road, bordering the west side of the cemetery, as Minnahaha Trail.  The first drive to the north, up hill, runs between Section D and Section C.  A circular drive permits easy access to Section A, which is both east and south of Section C.

The entrance drive is off of Shady Grove Road near the intersection.  It is at an angle, leaving a pie shaped section, B Annex, directly adjacent Hollywood Avenue which runs east.. The Graves begin at midpoint of the B Annex. Across the entrance drive Section A is bordered on the east by another north drive which runs up hill adjacent to the B Main Section.

Over the years there have been a number of owners and grounds-men.  For a number of years there was a caretaker's house on the grounds. One of the caretakers was Frank Haywood.  He and his wife, lottie, and their children lived and worked in Friendship for over a dozen years until 1953.  Son James helped dig graves and planted silver maple trees. Hollywood Cemetery Company across the way also had a caretaker's house. This practice ended not only at Friendship, but in many cemeteries in Arkansas. For many years Friendship has relied on part time work by grounds-men to keep grounds trimmed, clean, and to open and close graves.

David McGurie is now the current owner/groundskeeper and responsible for the operations of Friendship Cemetery.

The future for Friendship Cemetery is bright.  With a new found awareness and since of committment, we are driven to learn from past mistakes and move forward with new visions and ideas for the cemetery.  Present and future generations have to be made aware of the sholders and backs in which we now stand. 

A compiled Friendship Cemetery information guide has been compiled bythe Garland County Historical Society and can be obtained.  We hope to keep this website up to date and provide you with information on how you can help to Keep the Candle Burning, for a brighter future.