The Original Public Columbia Cemetery was located on another site Gold Hill before the remains was moved to the current spot on Reservoir Hill
Original Public Columbia Cemetery History:
June 14 1852– In the Old Public Cemetery Hugh Gillis was buried. His remains were moved to the section of the I.O.O.F Cemetery (New Public Cemetery Reservoir Hill). He may have been a Mason as well.
1852– I.O.O.F claims the oldest known tombstone of Joseph J. Dance in any of the cemeteries
June 23 1852 – The first cemetery on Gold Hill in Columbia was a “pretty little graveyard which had been laid out on the hill west of Columbia with gravelled walks, a neat painted fence and large gates.” – (Sonora Herald). The original Public Cemetery is shown on John Wallace’s field map, of the Tuolumne County Water Company’s ditch in the Spring of 1853. The grave yard was south of State Street and west of Silver Street. (Barbara Eastan 1962)
January 1853 – Gold is found on the hill near the original cemetery in Columbia which later became known as Gold Hill. The miners consequently cause some desecration of burial locations.
October on a Thursday 1855 – A description of the burial of John Barclay in the Old Cemetery (Gold Hill)appears in the Columbia Gazette’s “ Closing Scenes” “At two o’clock…a small party arrived in the old burial ground with the remains of (John) Barclay. The arrangements were all made with good care, but there were few to do the last acts of love and respect. Martha (Carlos Barclay) was there, with a few female friends, and the ceremonies were anything but imposing.”
New/Current Public Columbia Cemetery History:
1852 – Chinese was having burials on Reservoir Hill for three years prior to any Caucasians. (Hart R. Tambs – 1991). Deeds show that after the fire of 1854, Chinatown was located on the two sides of Gold Spring Road a short distance north of Clay Street to Division Street. The China Plot is at the end of their location.
The first Chinese Burying Ground is just north of lot owned by S. G. Bailey on north side of Green Street. (Eastman 1:4:13 or 8) Section I, of the Historic Columbia Cemetery, created during the gold rush era, has 473 found grave plots which includes 55 unmarked plots. The first burials at this site are known today (1991) to have been Chinese people who were buried there during the 1852-55 era.
August 2 1855– The Masons appoint a committee to “select suitable grounds for a cemetery.” (P. Y. Perry)
September 7 1855– The Masons filed claim to legally bury in north portion of “their cemetery”. New Cemetery (Reservoir Hill) (P. Y. Perry)
October 1855– A description of burial in the New Cemetery(Reservoir Hill) appears in the Columbia Gazette’s “ Closing Scenes” “At four o’clock, a long line of mourners and friends wound their way up the hill leading to the new burying ground. Many of our most respectable citizens were there; ladies of worth, and gentlemen of standing, were present with the remains of John H. Smith. The coffin was covered with the ensign of our country, for the deceased had served under it, and assisted to defend it.”
1855– With the Masons having burials on Reservoir Hill remains of the Chinese would removed and put into the section called the Chinese Section (see map at end of page) of the cemetery (this would continue as the cemetery grew) . Even with the practice of secondary burial and removal of Chinese remains into the Chinese Section there are still Chinese remains in other sections of the cemetery.
1855– The I.O.O.F begins to have burials in the New Public Cemetery (Reservoir Hill) next to the Masonic cemetery without having permission to bury there.
July 1, 1857 – The New Cemetery, the Public Cemetery on Reservoir Hill is legally establish. The Town Trustees passed an ordinance legally establishing the Public Cemetery on Reservoir Hill, next east to the Lodge Cemeteries. (P. Y. Perry)
1857 – The Cost of a burial was $10 for the digging $6 for closing of the grave, $2 for the sexton fee and an additional fee of $2 for maintenance and repair. (P. Y. Perry)
December 28, 1860 – Sheriff Patterson sold to Wm. Turner who transferred it to Geo. Kowgun the lots on the south side of the road for the Chinese cemetery. Deeds show that Phoebe Williams and John Grohl were on the south side of the road.(See Mortgage 1857 March 3 – S.G. Bailey to Benj. Craft for Chinese Cemetery.)
c1930s -Remains in the Chinese section were removed and sent home back to China in accordance to their cultural traditions. Not all Chinese remains were removed and returned to China. Some were not returned due to the payment for this service, or in particular, women (many of whom were prostitutes) seldom participated in the arrangements which funded the systematic removal.
July 15 1995 – A Memorial was erected in front of the old Chinese section to honor the Chinese who was buried and/or removed within the cemetery. It states: To Honor the Chinese Pioneers: This marks the burial site of Columbia’s early Chinese miners and merchants. In keeping with their traditions, the remains have been disinterred and returned to their homeland.
Dedicated by Golden Era Parlor #99 N.D.G.W. July 15, 1995
2022– Within the Cemetery the names and sites burial of first 500 individuals are no longer marked and unknown.
To View the Historical Chinese Section Click the image below:
Historical Chinese Section
Columbia Historic Cemetery 