From the Archives -- Resting Places

Another post from the archives. Enjoy!

Now We Lay Ourselves Down to Rest

(originally published November 13, 2008)

It was bound to happen. I would take a photograph or two of one of my favorite local haunts as a kid—the Calvary Cemetery.

We moved next to the cemetery when I was a fourth grader. We lived on El Camino Paraiso. The English translation: The Heavenly Road or The Road to Paradise. I always thought whoever named the street had a wonderful sense of humor. Or, he was just perverse.

Since my deceased sisters were buried in the cemetery, my family visited it often. As I got older, I found myself pedaling my bike through the cemetery on my own. Where else could I find peace and quiet to think? Today, the remains of my dad and a few other relatives and friends of the family are also there. So, I continue to pop over now and then. I no longer live next to the cemetery, but it’s still only a few minutes away.

San Benito County has several cemeteries. Not such a big deal until I consider that the population was about 18,000 when I was a teenager, many years ago. Currently the population is around 56,000. Only three cemeteries may actually be in use, but what do I know. If you want to know more about some of the other cemeteries in this county, check out these links. Those interested in genealogy will be happy to know that some of these web sites provide a listing or database of the deceased.

• Calvary Cemetery serves the local Catholic Church parishes in Hollister and Tres Pinos.
• I.O.O.F. Cemetery belongs to the Oddfellows Lodge. I understand that many of the old-time county movers and shakers are buried there.
• San Juan Bautista (or Larios) Cemetery is up on a hillside, just outside of the village.
• Mission Cemetery at San Juan Bautista Mission is said to have over 4,000 remains of local natives (like in Indians) and Europeans buried there.
• San Benito County Cemetery is described as being a potter's field.

• Cherry Hill Cemetery is between Paicines and Mercey Hot Springs.
• Pinehill Cemetery is way down in the southern part of the county, in the Bitterwater area.

Check out these sites for a list of cemeteries in San Benito County, including some not mentioned above.

• Epodunk.com: San Benito County Cemeteries 
• Cagenweb: San Benito County Cemeteries, Historical Society, Libraries, Newspapers
• California Genealogy and Historical Archives: San Benito County: County List for Cemeteries