A Walk Through Our History

Did you know...

Sylvan Cemetery District is the oldest District Cemetery in Sacramento County.
In 1862, Daniel Lewis donated one-tenth of an acre for this now 18 acre cemetery.
Sylvan Cemetery was a freight wagon stop on the way east to the Gold Country.
The great number of markers for the Spanish American War may surprise one until it is explained that a U.S. Army Camp and Induction Center was located in the nearby community of Roseville during the Spanish American War.

Gallery

Residence and surroundings of Frederick Volle, on his ranch of 480 acres. Settled by him in 1858, 1 1/2 miles east of Antelope, Sacramento Co., Cal. A portion of this land would become Sylvan Cemetery in 1862.

Image of historical image for Sylvan Cemetery District.

The original Record of The Sylvan Cemetery was consumed by fire 1891, so this record was made by the Trustee's Mar. 1893.

Deed of Cemetery of 1864 was also burnt but was recorded at Sac. 1864 by Elisha Daly & F. Volle.

James Horton was the first burial to take place at Sylvan Cemetery. He had come west from Tennessee to seek his fortune in the gold country. He suffered from an eye ailment and feared he was going blind. One day, while working for the Cross family he took poison and died. He had expressed a wish to have his grave under a certain oak a little north of the school-house that was being built close by. The wish was carried out.

John Francis & Sarah Jane Cross

Sarah was the first teacher in the area, in 1862. She used a cabin in her door-yard for a school room. In the summer of 1862, Mr. John F. Cross, who had followed the trade of a carpenter, was given the work of building a school house, the first Sylvan School.

George & Emma Coleman

Sold about 10 acres of land to the Sylvan Cemetery Association for $10.00 in November 1926.

Headstone in the Cross Family plot

"Sam, our Chinese friend died February 1, 1942 age 80 years"

Sam went to work for the Cross family when he was about 18 years old in the 1880's. Even after he left to work in the various mining camps, he returned and referred to Mr. & Mrs. Cross as father and mother and the family house as home.

James Van Maren looks at a headstone marking the first grave placed in the cemetery.

The Sacramento Bee - Sunday, September 9, 1962.

The restored Sylvan Cemetery now has a park like appearance.

The Sacramento Bee - Sunday, September 9, 1962.

This rock wall, being built along the full length of the Sylvan Cemetery facing Auburn Boulevard, is part of the extensive improvement program now being carried on at the Cemetery under the supervision of the Head Caretaker Joel Allen. A new building has been erected at the north end of the 11-acre site to house the caretaker's office, storeroom and rest rooms.

The Bulletin - Wednesday, February 7, 1962.

Old Cemetery Still Holds Many Secrets.

Neighbors - Sunday, August 21, 1988.

Old Cemetery Still Holds Many Secrets Continued.

Neighbors - Sunday, August 21, 1988.