Rocky Arroyo Cemetery Improvement Project: Honoring History, One Shovel at a Time

Written By PV Designs

This past Saturday, May 31st, the Carlsbad Community Lions Club joined hands with passionate local volunteers for the Rocky Arroyo Cemetery Improvement Project — a heartfelt effort to preserve and honor the resting places of early southeast New Mexico residents.

Volunteers from the Southeast New Mexico Historical Society (SENM), Carlsbad Community Lions Club, and Carlsbad Downtown Lions Club came together with shovels, rakes, and plenty of elbow grease. We dug, cleared, raked, and carefully uncovered several headstones that had long been buried under dirt and sand, bringing new light to pieces of our community’s past.

Special thanks to the volunteers who made it all happen:

  • Carlsbad Community Lions Club: Kat, Patrick, Jameson, Jacob, Drew, Sarah, Lakevius (and Gracelyn), Pavla (and Kamie)

  • Carlsbad Downtown Lions Club: Frankie, Bob, John, and Caleb

  • SENM Historical Society: Ephraim, Rick, Cassie, and Jameson

A highlight of the day was hearing from Jameson Lucas, who offered fascinating insights into our region’s past, from the Jones family and the legendary Seven Rivers area to stories from the Lincoln County War. His knowledge brought deeper meaning to our work, reminding us just how much history is woven into these grounds.

Among the uncovered markers were beautifully handcrafted headstones by R.B. Bookshire, each with its own story waiting to be told.

While we made incredible progress, this is just the beginning. We’re eager to continue this restoration project, uncovering more of our local history and ensuring that the legacies of those who came before us are honored and remembered.

Stay tuned for updates on our next volunteer day, and if you’re interested in joining this meaningful effort, we’d love to have you on board!

PV Designs