Founded in 1868 La Vista Cemetery in National City holds a special place in San Diego history. Originally called the Silent City on the Hill it boasts stunning views. From its hilltop location you can see Otay to Point Loma.
La Vista is more than just a resting place. It’s a living testament to San Diego’s pioneers. The Kimballs Copelands and Dickinsons are among those buried here. These families shaped the city’s development. Their legacy continues to resonate.
Sarah Kimball wife of Frank Kimball planted eucalyptus trees. They form a grand piano shape. These trees encircle hundreds of pioneer graves. Sarah and Flora Kimball and their husbands rest among them. A truly unique and thoughtful memorial.
La Vista also features an Armed Forces Memorial. A pool filled with water and turtles surrounds the monument. A fountain fed by an onsite well adds tranquility. Every Memorial Day a celebration takes place here. A fitting tribute to those who served.
The cemetery’s history intertwines with National City’s agricultural past. The Sweetwater River provided water for farming. Oranges lemons and olives flourished here. Frank Kimball even owned the National City Olive Oil Works. He won a bronze medal at the Columbian Exposition for his olive oil. A testament to the region’s agricultural bounty.
The Kimballs also attempted to establish a silkworm industry. Thousands of mulberry trees were planted. The venture ultimately failed. However silkworms were still found years later on Otay Mesa. A fascinating and little-known fact about La Vista’s past.
Frank Kimball was instrumental in bringing the railroad to National City. The Kimball brothers donated a significant amount of land. This helped establish National City as a terminus of a transcontinental line. A crucial contribution to the city’s growth.
Flora Kimball another significant figure was a horticulturist writer and women’s suffrage advocate. She planted thousands of trees in National City. She became the first woman in the United States to be a Grand Grange Master. Her influence extended far beyond horticulture.
La Vista Cemetery is more than just graves and headstones. It’s a window into San Diego’s past. It’s a place where history nature and community intertwine. Take a moment to reflect on the lives lived and the legacy left behind. The Silent City on the Hill still whispers stories of the past.