On the side of I-95 between Boulder City and Searchlight lies a hidden gem that most Southern Nevadans have long forgot about. Behind a white gate and fence with a giant sign that reads "Pet Burials Prohibited" is a treasure trove of long-once beloved pets, some even dating back to the '40s.
The most famous burial at the site is one of the pups of famous pet-actor (pactor? Nah.) Rin Tin Tin IV, although pets from much humbler means have continued to be buried there against the will of the federal government.
Why has this land of peace become a land of contention with the law? Well, it might have something to do with the fact that this place was never actually authorized to exist.
According to Bouldercitysocial.com, the cemetery was sanctioned in 1931, and since its conception many pet lovers have fought with the BLM and have even tried to get support from congress to allow this site to exist. However, the project eventually stalled, and when 85,000 acres of the El Dorado Valley (the area surrounding the site) were bought by Boulder City in 1995 to be a desert tortoise habitat, the ordinance prohibited pet burials (as dead pets tend to destroy environments if you weren't aware.)
On the other hand, a less official source (silentthrill.wordpress.com) claims that the cemetery was founded around 1953 by a man named Marwood Doud, and that although many speculate that it once served as a secret burial ground for Mafia victims, that claim is unlikely due to the high coyote population and flash flooding that would easily uncover dead bodies.
Another mysterious claim from bouldercitysocial states that a white cat may follow you around if it likes you, but I guess anywhere there are once-animated dead things there are bound to be a fair share of ghost tales to follow it.
Whatever the case may be for the poor little cemetery, I think we all can agree that it is still a cute, beloved place that shows how a small community can create something wonderful, and that is something Boulder City folks can be proud of. Even if it might come off as a little eerie (as many cemeteries do), I'd say it's worth checking out (if you're into that sort of thing.)
