Silence envelops us here at Salt Lake City Cemetery. It is a place of rest, reflection, and rich history.
The Salt Lake City Cemetery is not just a burial ground. It’s a sprawling outdoor museum. It spans over 150 acres and contains about 9 ½ miles of roads. Imagine that this cemetery is one of the largest city-operated cemeteries in the United States.
Its story began in 1848. George Wallace buried his child, Mary Wallace, here. In 1851, Salt Lake City incorporated. The 20 acres became the official Salt Lake City Cemetery. George Wallace became its first sexton.
Wallace had many duties. He maintained burial records. He directed groundskeeping. He oversaw cemetery staff. He handled the cemetery’s finances.
Over 125,000 people are buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. There are 130,000 burial sites in total. Many religious leaders and politicians rest here. Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are among them.
The Salt Lake City Cemetery mirrors a movement. It reflects the rural cemetery movement. This movement created park-like settings. It was like creating America’s first public parks.
Notable figures are interred here. Orrin Porter Rockwell rests here. He was a lawman and bodyguard of Joseph Smith. Lester F. Wire is also here. He invented the traffic light. Jane Manning James rests here. She was the first female black Mormon pioneer.
Then there is Lily E. Gray. Her gravestone is mysterious. It reads, “Victim of the Beast 666.” No one knows why. Her husband, Elmer Gray, might have been paranoid.
Jacob Moritz rests here as well. He founded the Salt Lake Brewery. His tomb has a legend. It is said that chanting “Emo” near his grave causes supernatural events. People claim to see red eyes or a face in the mausoleum window.
The Salt Lake City Cemetery has many amazing trees. They create an urban forest. People planted them over 170 years ago. They were good stewards for those who would come after them.
Remember that decorations are removed annually. This happens one week after Memorial Day. It also happens one week after New Year’s Day.
The Salt Lake City Cemetery is a jewel of the city. It is a place for the living. Visit often and enjoy what it offers. It is a place to remember. It is a place to learn. It is a place to appreciate the lives of those who came before us.