Chinese Cemetery
Dates of Existence: pre 1870 to 1884.
Location: enclosed in the area of Arguello, California, Euclid, and Palm (or Jordan).
Number interred: unknown.
Moved to: unknown.
Notes: Shown on Map of the City and County of San Francisco, drawn by J. C. Henkenus, published by Warren Holt, 1884. Most likely part of the Laurel Hill Cemetery.
“…In 1870 the Chinese were notified that no more burials would be allowed in Laurel Hill Cemetery, the section allotted to them having been filled. The new lot granted to them in the City Cemetery is located on the western slope of the hills and comprises twenty-one separate sections, each of which is enclosed for the use of the several Chinese societies. …”
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 19 August 1883, page 16.
“The Peculiar Heathen.
“The peculiarities of the 'Heathen Chinee' are constantly cropping out. If some of his customs shock the ideas of Christian civilization, the worldly business-like shrewdness of his paganism arrests the admiration of the advanced Caucasian. On a very grave subject John has recently demonstrated his ability to hold his own. Some years ago, when burial places for China men were high priced, and occasionally remote, a company of far-seeing speculators conceived and carried out the plan of establishing a Chinese cemetery, hoping to realize handsome profits from the scheme. At first John accepted this as a concession from Christianity, and with astoning [sic] complacency paid the highest market price for the luxury of a first class interment in California soil. A special graveyard, set apart from all other cemeteries for the exclusive use of one nationality was in John's estimation an honor not often conferred under this Republican Government, and so he patronized the 'institution' liberally. By and by he found one indulgence of the luxury almost too expensive. His income from the labor of 'washee' was not commensurate with the cost of civilized funerals, and so John retrenched and economized. He found that the remains of the departed, which are all to be ultimately shipped to China, could rest very well for a year or two if two were placed together in the ground, and as the price of burial lots increased John multiplied the number of interments in a single grave until the cemetery managers discovered that it was not an uncommon thing for twenty Chinamen to be planted in one trench. Naturally enough the cemetery managers were appalled at this shocking violation of Christian customs, and also very much grieved over the failure of the graveyard speculation. As the matter now stands, there is a petition before the Board of Supervisors for the removal of the Chinese cemetery. The managers are willing to abandon the business, as soon as possible, and engage in something more remunerative.”
Source: San Francisco Bulletin, 14 December 1876.
“BOARD OF HEALTH.
“The Disinterment and Cremation of the Bodies of Chinese …
“The Board of Health held a regular meeting today. Mayor Bryant presided. Drs. Shorb, Toland, Simpson and Herz were present. The regular monthly reports were submitted.
“EXHUMING AND CREMATING CHINESE BODIES.
“Milo Hoadley complained of the intolerable nuisance caused by the burning of decayed human flesh at the Chinese Cemetery, and said that a thousand bodies had been exhumed from the graveyard, the flesh stripped from the bones and turned. There were five hundred coffins piled up on the ground now. The stench was sickening and unbearable. Dr. Simpson wanted to know if there was not an ordinance to prevent bodies from being disinterred without permits.
“Dr. Meares—I give them a permit to send bodies to China. “Dr. Herz—Let us recommend the Board of Supervisors to pass an ordinance to prevent bodies from being exhumed. “Dr. Simpson thought a burying ground should be located near the ocean beach. “Mr. Hoadley thought Point San Bruno would be a good place for a Chinese cemetery, “Dr. Shorb—We would have to purchase property for the cemetery. “Dr. Herz Introduced a resolution requesting the Board of Supervisors to pass an ordinance preventing the disinterment of dead bodies, without a special permit from the Health Officer, during the present unhealthy condition of the atmosphere. “On motion, the reference to the unhealthy condition of the atmosphere was stricken out and the resolution adopted. …”
Source: San Francisco Bulletin, 29 December 1876.
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