general Cochise County information. [August 2005] Wikipedia for Douglas. [Apr 2013]
1919 population was 100 according to "Directory of Jewish Local Organizations in the United States" pp. 330-583. American Jewish Year Book 5680
September 25, 1919 to Sept. 12, 1920, Vol. 21, edited by Harry Schneiderman for the American Jewish Committee submitted by Alan Hirschfeld.
Bisbee-Douglas Jewish Cemetery:
This may be the oldest cemetery in Arizona.
Founded in 1904 near the Mexican border, the cemetery was restored, refenced and cleaned in 1992 by students and numerous others. Source: Southwest Jewish Archives, 621-5774. Web page: http://128.196.228.12/images/swja/v13douglascem.htm. David Eppele, who has a cactus nursery at Bisbee, was instrumental in the restoration, keeping the southwestern look by restoring the barbed wire fence. Source: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This abandoned Jewish cemetery has 13 graves. The names and dates are included in the JHSSA Index. The cemetery is included in the State of Arizona of Historical Places. NO records are available for the burials. This was the first Jewish Cemetery developed in the State of Arizona. Source: Alfred E. Lipsey. [July 2000]
UPDATE: Quote: built 1904 near the Mexican border and abandoned. "Situated on the city's eastern limits, and surrounded by private property, it contains thirty identifiable graves. Established in 1904, and one of two (?) abandoned Jewish cemeteries in the state. 150 x 200 feet, containing no more than 30 graves, situated on what is now the eastern limits of the city, surrounded by private property, mostly undeveloped. Douglas was an early prosperous town with many Jewish merchants, the cemetery was started three years after the town was settled." [January 2001] Between San Antonio Avenue and Washington below 6th. Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 3887, Phoenix, AZ 85030-3887 for 1905-34, 18 graves.
UPDATE: burial list and burial list. Quote: Established in 1904, the cemetery is one of two abandoned Jewish cemeteries in the state [probably in 1963]. 150x200 feet, no more than 30 graves. Located on eastern limits of the city, site is surrounded by private property, mostly undeveloped. [August 2005]
UPDATE: The Jewish Cemetery in Douglas, Arizona (also known as Bisbee-Douglas Jewish Cemetery, reconsecrated in 1993, is still extant, though gravestones have been toppled. About ten gravestones are intact. To find it, go to San Antonio and drive down to 3rd; turn left (East) until it dead-ends (near the "Dos Hombres" clinic). It is a few yard south (to the right). We spent an hour looking for it and almost gave up; finally we were escorted to the spot by a Douglas-born member of the border patrol. Source: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. [December 2009] Restored in 1993. "it is about 100 yards from the Mexican border. There are 19 kevarim--but only 13 matzevot. The property has been vandalized but was restored in 1992--then vandalized again (we got all this information after googling the cemetery. We also got lists of the people buried there and remaining living family members.) Source [December 2009]
In November, 2012, two gravestones have been shattered in the Jewish cemetery in the town, as what seems to be an anti-Semitic act. Source: In November, 2012, two gravestones have been shattered in the Jewish cemetery in the town, as what seems to be an anti-Semitic act."Jewish cemetery desecrated". CFCA. Retrieved 12 January 2013. [Apr 2013]
UPDATE: I used to live in Douglas. The cemetery has fallen into disrepair again. Several of the headstones have been re-toppled. A couple of friends of mine, with equipment are willing to right the headstones. I can be contacted at 520-982-0258 or by email.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. [Apr 2013].
UPDATE: The Forgotten Jews of the Mexican Border [June 2016]
UPDATE: Historic Jewish Cemetery to be Restored [July 2016]