Established in 1883 Pleasant Green Cemetery holds a unique place in Salt Lake City’s history. It’s more than just a resting place. It’s a living testament to the pioneers who settled the western Salt Lake Valley. Nestled in the Oquirrh Mountains above Magna Pleasant Green Cemetery was the first cemetery west of the Jordan River.
Imagine the scene in 1883. Daniel Jacobs his friends and Bishop Lehi Nephi Hardman faced a challenge. Daniel’s grandmother Sara Haines had passed away while visiting from New York. The nearest large cemetery was miles away in Salt Lake City itself. A solution was needed and thus Pleasant Green Cemetery was born. Ten acres of land donated by Nathan Smith became the final resting place for Sara Haines the first person buried within its peaceful confines.
The cemetery isn’t just the resting place of Sara Haines though. Many of the original settlers of towns like Magna Hunter Pleasant Green Ragtown and Coonville are buried there. Think about those early pioneers. Their lives their struggles their triumphs are all woven into the very fabric of this place. Their descendants probably visit regularly to pay their respects. You can almost hear their whispers on the wind.
For over a century the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints managed Pleasant Green Cemetery. In 1983 the Church formed the Pleasant Green Cemetery Preservation and Development Association. This non-profit organization ensured that this historic site was carefully preserved and maintained. The Association’s efforts were eventually successful. In 2020 they transferred ownership to Magna City.
The history of Pleasant Green Cemetery is rich and varied. Initially grave plots were sold in lots of sixteen. The cost started at a mere $20 for sixteen graves escalating over time to $500 per individual plot in 2012. It’s estimated that there are 17000 grave sites in total but only about 1400 are currently occupied. Think about that. The stories of those buried here are waiting to be discovered.
Today Pleasant Green Cemetery stands as a beautiful and poignant reminder of the past. The quiet dignity of the site speaks volumes about the lives lived and the legacies left behind. It is a place of reflection a place to honor the memories of those who helped shape this region. It is more than just a cemetery it is a window into the past. A treasure trove of local history.