Imagine, if you will, a sprawling green space in the heart of Los Angeles. This is Evergreen Cemetery. It is not just any cemetery. It’s a historical landmark with stories etched into every headstone.
Evergreen Cemetery was established in 1877. It is the oldest existing cemetery in Los Angeles. It spans 67 acres. Over 300,000 people are interred here.
The founders had to prove themselves capable of handling burials. The City Council questioned a private company’s right to engage in this public practice. But the controversy settled. The company got the go-ahead to create Evergreen Cemetery.
Many prominent figures rest here. You’ll find pioneers like the Hollenbecks and Workmans. The Lankershims and Van Nuyses are here too. Even Eddie “Rochester” Anderson from the Jack Benny Program is buried here. Matthew “Stymie” Beard Jr. of Little Rascals fame also calls this place his final resting place.
Evergreen Cemetery has always been a melting pot. It has sections for Armenians and Japanese. Early white settlers and Mexicans also have their dedicated spaces. Evergreen never banned African Americans. This was a rare thing in those times.
The Garden of the Pines is a special section. It is a memorial to Japanese Issei pioneers. Every year, families gather for the Obon festival. They tidy up tombstones and remember loved ones.
Biddy Mason, a former slave and philanthropist, was buried here in 1891. Showmen’s Rest is another interesting area. About 400 carnival workers and circus performers are buried here. A memorial decorated with a lion marks their section.
In the early days, the city requested land for unclaimed bodies. This became known as a potter’s field. Today, Evergreen Cemetery continues to serve Angelenos.
One notable feature is the Chinese shrine. It was built in 1888. Families burned offerings here. This ensured the deceased had these items in the next world. This custom is still practiced today.
Evergreen Cemetery holds an annual Memorial Day event. It honors fallen service members. Buddhist ministers also come to honor Japanese pioneers.
In 2003, a 1.4-mile jogging track was added. It encircles the cemetery. It provides a fitness area for the community. The track is dedicated to local activist Lloyd Monserratt.
During the Metro L Line construction in 2005, workers found skeletal remains. These were from the Chinese section of the potter’s field. A memorial was dedicated in 2010 near the Chinese Shrine.
So, as you wander through Evergreen Cemetery, remember its rich history. It is a place of rest, remembrance and a testament to Los Angeles’ diverse past.