WELCOME

Located 5 miles south of Hansen, Idaho, is the Rock Creek Cemetery—also known today as the Rock Creek Magic Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery—is a peaceful, historic resting place that honors both pioneer heritage and military service. Just one mile west of the cemetery lies the Stricker Store and Rock Creek Station, a significant 19th-century trading post and stage stop along the Oregon Trail. The cemetery was named after the town of Rock Creek. The old town of Rock Creek was located two miles to the south of the cemetery. John F. Hansen who's buried in the cemetery opened his first store in the town of Rock Creek and later moved the store to the new town of Hansen which was located on the Oregon Short Line Railroad. The frist burials were in the 19th century and burials continue today into the 21st century. The cemetery continues to be open to all for burial. To arrange for a burial contact Greg Bryant @208-421-2282.

Rock Creek Magic Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery Needs to Form a Cemetery Maintenance District

Why we're asking for your support in creating a cemetery maintenance district. In order to understand the need we have to know the history of the cemetery. The cemetery was named after the town of Rock Creek the town was located seven miles south of today's town of Hansen it was the first town in Twin Falls and Cassia counties. The first post office was in the town of Rock Creek from 1871 until 1925. Burials began in the 1870s the most recent burial was in September of this year 2025. The cemetery is 150 years old this year. In 1907 Lucy Stricker and 16 prominent women of the town of Rock Creek recognized the need for a cemetery and a way to provide for it's maintenance. On February 1st 1907 they incorporated the Rock Creek Cemetery Association. The association lasted until the last member Lorna Horn deeded the cemetery to the Twin Falls Veterans Health Commission in 1993. The Twin Falls Veterans Health Commission has been maintaining the cemetery since 1988 with veteran volunteers funding from the sales of burial plots and donations. The Rock Creek Cemetery Association was funded in the same manner as a result there was one member left in 1988 and she turned the cemetery over to the Twin Falls Veterans Health Commission organization in 1993. It's now 2025 and the veterans are in the same position as the Rock Creek Cemetery Association no funding or volunteers. They have relied on veteran volunteers, funding from sales of burial plots and donations. As with the Rock Creek Cemetery Association the Twin Falls Veterans Health Commission is down to one member Greg Bryant who is 75 and has been volunteering for the past 15 years he is the only one who knows everything about the cemetery. There are many graves that are unmarked and he knows where there located. The cemetery is the resting place for many of the pioneer families such as the Stricker family. Others buried here came here via the Oregon Trail. If we don't create the Rock Creek Magic Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery Maintenance District the cemetery will fail to exist.

If the property owners approve the Rock Creek Magic Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery Maintenance District the tax will be $29.40 per $100,000 of assessed value per year or $2.45 per month. The maximum allowed levy for a cemetery maintenance district is .0006 which would be $60 per $100,000 of assessed value per year or $5 per month. The total assessed value of the property in the proposed district is $272,446,091 with a levy of. 000294 the tax collected will be $80,099.15 our

preliminary budget is $79,800.00. For more information please contact Greg Bryant @208-421-2282 or Edward A Easterling @208-308-1375

Some History

The original cemetery, established as the cemetery for the town of Rock Creek on the Kelton road, was known as Rock Creek Cemetery. The cemetery has been in use since the 1870's. On February 1st 1907 17 of the most important women of the town of Rock Creek incorporated the Rock Creek Cemetery Association the cemetery contains the graves of early settlers, travelers, and pioneers, including members of the Stricker family. One of the last Strickers to be buried here was Gladys Stricker (1899–1982), who rests in the family plot. Other notable burials include John and Lawrence Hansen brother-in-laws the town of Hansen was named for them, reflecting the diverse and often difficult lives of those who helped shape southern Idaho.

In 1992, the cemetery entered a new chapter when it was officially deeded to veteran organizations from Twin Falls, who had long cared for the grounds. It was then renamed the Rock Creek Magic Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery in recognition of their service and stewardship.

To honor both its historical roots and new supervision, the cemetery was divided in name: the western half, where most of the early burials are located, retained the name Rock Creek Cemetery, while the eastern half was named the Magic Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Although the eastern portion carries the “Veterans” designation, the entire cemetery is a public burial ground, and anyone may be interred there.

Though the names may differ depending on historical or funeral home records, Rock Creek Cemetery and Magic Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery refer to the same treasured place. Visitors are encouraged to explore the nearby Stricker Ranch for a deeper connection to the region’s frontier past and to reflect on the legacy preserved in these hallowed grounds.

Maintence

Welcome to the Rock Creek Magic Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Currently, a group of Volunteers maintains the Cemetery. For the past 37 years since 1988 volunteers from the Twin Falls Veterans organizations have provided all the labor and paid all expenses. Unfortunately the organizations no longer have the veterans to provide the labor to care for the cemetery. The cemetery needs a way to pay for the operation of the cemetery. The only way to save the cemetery is to ask the property owners to approve a cemetery maintenance district.

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