Sacramento Historic City Cemetery

The Sacramento City Cemetery was established in 1849 with a donation of 10 acres by Captain John Sutter. The cemetery follows the Victorian Garden style, popular throughout the mid and late 1800's.

Old City Cemetery History -
Prior to the establishment of the City Cemetery in 1849, burials were conducted in an area not far from Sutter's Fort, but its lower elevation and closeness to the American River caused it to flood frequently. These old grounds, however, continued as a privately operated cemetery, named New Helvetia, for some twenty-five years before reverting to the city. Over the years, tombstones and monuments were removed, vandalized and even stolen. Eventually, in the 1950s, the city authorized the construction of Sutter Junior High School (now Sutter Middle School) on the site – Alhambra Boulevard to 32nd Street, I to J Streets. A historical marker can be found at the edge of the sidewalk along Alhambra Boulevard. Unclaimed remains were re-interred in special plots at both the City Cemetery and East Lawn Memorial Park on Folsom Boulevard.

Among the first interments in the City Cemetery were over 600 victims of the 1850 Cholera Epidemic. Today, the Old City Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 25,000 pioneers, immigrants, their families and descendants. Among the more notable are Captain John A. Sutter, Jr., Sacramento city founder; lawyer and art collector E. B. Crocker; storekeeper turned railroad mogul Mark Hopkins; William Stephen Hamilton, the son of Alexander Hamilton; three California governors and many of Sacramento's earliest mayors.

Many changes have taken place over the last 150 years. The cemetery continued to expand through 1880 when Margaret Crocker donated the final acreage on the hill, bringing the cemetery's land holdings to nearly 60 acres. At one time, a greenhouse built by Mrs. Crocker, the Bell Conservatory, overlooked the cemetery along what is now Broadway. Today the cemetery covers approximately 44 acres and is the final resting place of over 25,000 individuals.

Thousands of early settlers are buried in the Historic City Cemetery. They represent the historical and cultural diversity of Sacramento. The monuments are symbolic of Victorian funeral customs. Numerous group plots honor members of the Pioneer Association, Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Volunteer Firemen, the Improved Order of Red Men, the state government, Donner Party survivors, Civil War and other military veterans.

Docent-guided walking tours are offered on some Saturdays (see calendar). Self-guided tours are encouraged at all open cemetery hours, during all seasons. Maps and brochures, including Walking Tour of Medical Pioneer Grave Sites, are available at the Old City Cemetery.

Funerary Symbolism, Statuary and Art -
Families had many different symbols from which to choose. Often, these symbols were combined in different ways to express feelings for family members. The Sacramento Historic City Cemetery has some unique markers designed by local stonemasons.

Hamilton Square Garden -
Burial site of Stephen Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, this area is devoted to perennials from five Mediterranean regions of the world and modern shrub and climbing roses. Spring and fall are special times to visit this area next to the old Mortuary Chapel.

Historic Rose Garden -
Sacramento's Historic Rose Garden is composed mostly of old roses collected from cemeteries, old home sites and along roadsides in northern California. Visitors come from around the world to enjoy the heritage roses.

California Native Plant Society Demonstration Garden -
The Sacramento Valley Chapter of California Native Plant Society maintains a California Native Plant Demonstration Garden on the Cemetery's east side. This garden, visible from Riverside Boulevard, is especially lovely in late winter and spring. This section attracts many butterflies and birds.

The Old City Cemetery Committee, Inc. of Sacramento, CA provides unique events for people of all ages. The event calendar may be updated periodically, so be sure to come back often to see if a tour has been added.

All Saturday tours are free and begin at 10 am at the main gate at 1000 Broadway, Sacramento, CA. Donations are appreciated.

Sat., October 23,2006
Garden Tour, "What's Blooming in the Cemetery". Tour Guides: Anita Clevenger and Barbara Oliva - Free

Saturday, Saturday, Dec. 16
10 - 11 am
Historic Rose Garden

Saturday, April 21, 2007 - Open Garden

For information, call the Old City Cemetery Committee, Inc., (916) 448-0811 or visit www.OldCityCemetery.com
(photos courtesy Lynda Walls)