Sacramento Pioneer Association Cemetery

Gone To Rest: Pioneer Grove

The Sacramento Pioneer Association has owned for many years a large plot of beautiful land at the southwest corner of the historic Sacramento City Cemetery at 10th and Broadway. Burial plots are still available for members and their families, and information is available through the Association office at 916-447-7411.

A Burial Society
From the very beginning of the organization in 1854 members attended the funerals of their brother members in style, with a march to the home, church, or grave and return to the regular meeting place for adjournment and commiseration. In 1861 they decided to buy their own plot in the City Cemetery, situated on some of the highest ground in Sacramento because of the annual flooding that had become such a problem for the community. Additional lots were then purchased through the years from the City and from Mrs. Margaret Crocker, widow of E. B. Crocker. The Association adopted management rules for the cemetery and funded the maintenance. In 1878 the Pioneers offered the grand center of their plot as member Mark Hopkins’ burial place, and Mrs. Hopkins accepted. The large mausoleum is still today the architectural focus of Pioneer Grove. The family plots are raised, surrounded by low brick walls, and beautiful statuary, grave markers, and stones adorn them.

“Gone to Rest,” a History of Pioneer Grove
Several members of the Association compiled anecdotal biographies about the persons buried in Pioneer Grove and, in the year 2001, published these in a book titled, “Gone to Rest.” The title derives from a newspaper clipping about a departed pioneer. Their adventurous stories are colorful, sometimes poignant. They form a record of the founding and development of Sacramento from a frontier town to a center of agriculture and government.

Please visit our Genealogical and Historical Research Facilities page for links.

Copies of print or CD versions of Gone to Rest is can be obtained by calling the Association office. A donation to the Association of $15 is requested.

More News: Current Cemetery Improvements

The Cemetery Maintenance Committee recently contracted to correct the damaged west-to-east walkway leading up to the Mark Hopkins Monument from the westernmost street of Pioneer Grove. The grade has been smoothed and access made easier.

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Sacramento Pioneer Association
1721 - 2nd Street #100, Sacramento, CA 95811
TEL: 916-447-7411 | FAX: 916- 447-7430
E-mail: history@sacramentopioneer.org