Site #31: Petrofka Cemetery
Perched on the high bank southwest of the Petrofka Bridge, this cemetery is one of the oldest in the region. Established in 1899 at the very beginning of the Doukhobor migration, it serves as the final resting place for the founders of Petrofka Village, the first communal settlement in this district.
The Landmark Pines
The cemetery is easily identifiable by the tall, mature pine trees standing at its center. According to the local history book Bridging the Years: Era of Blaine Lake and District 1790-1980, planting evergreens was a deliberate practice to ensure the cemetery remained visible across the parkland in all weather conditions. Although the village itself disbanded in 1929, the cemetery remains an active and sacred space for the community today.
The Unmarked Generations
The site contains approximately 100 graves. As noted in the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society cemetery records, many of the earliest burials are unmarked, representing the pioneers who did not survive the initial hardships of settlement. These well-maintained grounds continue to honor that first generation of settlers who arrived with little more than their faith and their determination to clear the land.
A Panoramic Conclusion
The cemetery’s location offers a commanding view of the river valley. As documented by historian Jonathan J. Kalmakoff on the Doukhobor Genealogy Website, this site serves as a permanent memorial to the pioneers, overlooking the very banks where they built their first shelters in 1899. It stands as a quiet, reflective conclusion to the Riverlands Heritage Tour.
