Beneath these sprawling cypress trees lies Olivet Gardens. Originally named Mount Olivet Cemetery it opened its gates in 1896. Imagine a place intended as the “Cemetery of All Faiths”. Now fast forward to 2020. Cypress Lawn Memorial Park acquired it renaming it Olivet Gardens.
Olivet Gardens spans 65 acres. Over 100000 souls rest here. It is a place filled with history and stories. But what makes Olivet Gardens truly special?
Let’s talk about Showman’s Rest. The Show Folks of America erected this memorial. They began holding annual conventions in San Francisco in 1945. It became a tribute to circus and carnival performers. Many clowns and performers found their final resting place here by the mid-1990s.
Then there is the striking Sailors Union of the Pacific monument. John Stoll a prominent sculptor created this 18-foot-tall black granite memorial. Governor Earl Warren dedicated it in 1946. It honors the 6000 Merchant Marines who perished in World War II. The monument bears a powerful inscription. It reads “And the sea shall give up its dead from every latitude here rest our brothers of the Sailors Union of the Pacific.”
Among the notable people buried here is Arthur Barker. He was the son of Ma Barker and a member of the Barker-Karpis gang. Joseph Bowers also rests here. He was the first man to attempt an escape from Alcatraz Island. Ishi the last member of the Yahi people is also buried in Olivet Gardens.
William H. Crim Jr. designed the oldest buildings here. These include the stone chapel built in 1896 and the columbarium built in 1915. The columbarium features beautiful stained-glass skylights.
Olivet Gardens adjoins Cypress Lawn’s Hillside campus. It stands as a testament to time. It is a place of remembrance and reflection. The site was planned to be a non-sectarian cemetery on the western slopes of San Bruno Mountain. It would be subdivided into sections reserved for fraternal organizations. These included the Native Sons of the Golden West Knights of Pythias Improved Order of Red Men and Ancient Order of Foresters.
A branch line of the San Francisco and San Mateo Electric Railway even served Mount Olivet in 1898. This shows its importance at the time. Today Olivet Gardens offers a serene escape. It is a place where history whispers through the trees. It has a columbarium with stained-glass skylights and a new 300-seat funeral chapel for services. Take a moment to appreciate this unique space. It is a blend of history art and remembrance.