Milligan is on the Parker Branch of the railroad leading from Cadiz, California to Parker, Arizona and dates from 1910 when the spur line was built. As a railroad siding Milligan was active from 1910 to about 1955 and had several section houses, a foreman’s house and a bunkhouse where the railroad workers lived. It was also the center for a salt mining operation that is still active.
The families of railroad workers who lived in Milligan planted Salt Cedar trees for shade as well as a windbreak. Although there is no one left in Milligan to water the trees, they are still surviving and the concrete water catchments built around the base of the trees by the residents more than seventy years ago are still there.
The families of railroad workers who lived in Milligan planted Salt Cedar trees for shade as well as a windbreak. Although there is no one left in Milligan to water the trees, they are still surviving and the concrete water catchments built around the base of the trees by the residents more than seventy years ago are still there.
Milligan Cemetery
34° 16’ 39.41” N.
115° 09’ 57.08” W.
34° 16’ 39.41” N.
115° 09’ 57.08” W.
There are about eleven graves at the Milligan cemetery. I first discovered this cemetery in 2002 based on a description from a friend named Paul Limon, a former resident of Chubbuck. Paul’s brother Efrén died in 1935 as a 2-week old infant and was buried at Milligan. When I found the cemetery it was barely recognizable. Three of the graves had wooden sticks or crosses but if names were ever inscribed on the crosses they had long since weathered away. The other graves were simply ringed with stones. It is a lonely cemetery, but Efrén has a new marker on his grave, placed there by his brother Paul. In placing a new marker at his brother’s grave, Paul decided to place makers at the other graves as well and did so without disturbing the original wooden crosses.
Other than Efren Limon, the only other person that I know of who was buried at Milligan is Delores R. de Fernandez, age 59 who died of heat prostration July 30, 1910. Which of the graves belongs to Ms. De Fernandez is uncertain.
Other than Efren Limon, the only other person that I know of who was buried at Milligan is Delores R. de Fernandez, age 59 who died of heat prostration July 30, 1910. Which of the graves belongs to Ms. De Fernandez is uncertain.
Milligan Cemetery in 2002
Milligan cemetery with the new markers.
The new marker on Efren Limon's grave in Milligan, placed there by his brother, Paul.