Join us for upcoming Grafton events
Annual Grafton Reunion& Open House
Saturday, September 27
10 a.m.—1 p.m.
The reunion will be held at the usual location, east past the church/schoolhouse and Russell home. In the event of rain, the alternate plan is to meet at the Rockville Community Center (43 E. Main Street). The grounds will be open from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. We encourage participants to bring their own lunch and camp chairs.
The event this year will be open house style. Anyone interested in attending is welcome. There will be no formal program this year. This will be an opportunity to meet and socialize with those who are descendants of Grafton residents but also those who have an interest in Grafton.
Butch Cassidy 10k/5K on Saturday, November 9
The Butch Cassidy 10K/5K race has been a staple in Springdale, Rockville and Grafton for over 40 years. Honoring the memory of the most famous movie filmed in Grafton, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the race has always ended in Grafton. In addition to the race itself, the event includes a “Catch Butch” competition, a selfie contest, and a Butch Cassidy look-alike, among other additions. Some of the proceeds of the race go towards the Grafton Heritage Partnership.
We thank the race organizers for their continued support! To register, visit: https://www.raceentry.com/races/butch-cassidy-10k-5k-/2025/register.
Grafton Heritage Partnership has a new logo!
To create a united front — something to better represent Grafton — the Partnership, with the help of board vice president Jack Burns, has approved a new logo, which will be used in all publications, social media, etc. from now on.
Grafton historic picture & tidbit
The picture to the left shows the last class taught in the Grafton Schoolhouse, the 1918-1919 school year.
Teacher (and photographer): Anthony Russell
Top row (l-r): Monroe Russell & Rulon Jones
2nd row (l-r): Louis Ballard, Afton Jones & Lula Ballard
3rd row (l-r): Merrill Russell, Edwin Ballard, Susie Jones & Juanita Russell
Recent Artifact Donation
Sylvia Sawyers, daughter of Lu Wayne Wood, a founding member of the Grafton Heritage Partnership Project, recently donated a desk once used in the Grafton schoolhouse, pictured below.
We sincerely appreciate her donation. We would appreciate any artifact donations or historic pictures any friends of Grafton could send the Grafton Heritage Partnership Project.
Please send all pictures, questions and inquiries to:
Who Owns Grafton’s Land?
Grafton board members regularly get asked what entities own Grafton’s remaining buildings and surrounding land. Here is the run down of who owns the buildings:
Schoolhous: Washington County
Alonzo Russell Home: Grafton Heritage Partnership Project
Louisa Russell Home Attiyeh Foundation
Ruby Rose Cabin: Attiyeh Foundation
John Wood Home: Attiyeh Foundation
Some might not realize that the Partnership’s footprint in Grafton is more than just the buildings. The Partnership also owns pastureland surrounding Grafton, starting with the cattleguard closest to the town along the road coming in. Other landholders surrounding Grafton are the Attiyeh Foundation and Jeff and Shirley Ballard, both of whom have been integral allies in the preservation of Grafton.
Jeff Ballard and Bevin Johnson and their families do a great job of keeping the pastures watered and green. Some of this pastureland will require new fencing soon.