Campo Santo Mexicano Cemetery

The Campo Santo Mexicano Cemetery dates back to the 1890s, when the land was still Mexico. This cemetery is home to families of farmers and ranchers who lived in the area and worked the land. Over the past 44 years, this land has been protected from the pressures of development by devoted community members such as Timoteo Diaz and organizations such as the Pioneers' Cemetery Association.

After 40+ years of advocating for the forgotten Mexican cemetery in South Phoenix, known under many project names that neighbors did not approve of, the cemetery is finally written as Campo Santo Mexicano Cemetery on the Arizona Historic Preservation Registrar. This was thanks to a collaborative meeting held between Cihuapactli Collective, Pioneer Cemetery Association, caretaker Timoteo Diaz, and the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Department. Timoteo Diaz recently received a special letter from the City of Phoenix’s Arizona Historic Preservation Department stating the official name change on the city register! Timoteo has been advocating for this land since he was 9 years of age, and one of his biggest wishes for the cemetery finally came to life!

In 2022, Councilman Carlos Garcia of District 8 asked the Cihuapactli Collective to support the caretakers of the cemetery, due to our Indigenous and spiritually centered values in caring for the community from womb to tomb. The CC is dedicated to honoring those buried in the cemetery and supporting the ongoing efforts of community advocates in the restoration and beautification of the site. Since then we have helped bring awareness to the land and honor the ancestors with our cultural and ceremonial practices.  

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More information on the Campo Santo Mexicano Cemetery (Also known as Sotelo-Heard):

How else can you help?

  1. Become a sustaining donor to support this work

  2. Join our volunteer database

  3. Help us canvas our community needs assessment survey to South Phoenix residents

  4. Keep us in your prayers!

What else?

Campo Santo Wellness Project

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