Cemetery Vandalism

It has been a busy time of year for this Graveyard Rabbit! Christmas season tends to eat up my days much to quickly. I hope everyone had as nice a Holiday as I did! I wanted to do a post on Christmas in the graveyards, but unfortunately couldn't squeeze it into my schedule this year. I have missed posting to this Graveyard Rabbit site! 

I wanted to share with you some of the damage that you may see in cemeteries. The pictures I am sharing with you I took at the San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery.



You may remember this cemetery is under renovation by the local historical society. When I visited I was surprised how much of the shrubbery and weeds had been cleaned up, and the tree trimmers were working trimming the trees while I was there.



I actually took many photos of the damage to headstones and grave sites, these are just a few to give you an idea. Some of the headstones were totally missing, others laying on the ground. Then there were those that were crushed into smaller pieces. Headstones were so far from their actual grave sites, it was amazing.



Walking through this cemetery pulled at my heart, so much damage, so sad. I am sure there are many cemeteries with more massive damage. I could have posted a couple dozen more photos, but I know you have the idea. The light at the end of the tunnel for the San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery ~ It is being renovated, and I have already seen improvements! Many thanks to the Hayward Area Historical Society!

Holy Sepulchre Cemetery

This catholic cemetery is located on Mission Blvd. in Hayward. From what I have read I understand the cemetery began in 1913 and as of a year ago entails about three thousand graves.





This is the entrance of the cemetery. It is quite nice, as cemetery entrances go. Not being catholic myself, I had never been inside this cemetery. For some reason I almost felt as if I wasn't suppose to be on these grounds. I am not sure why I felt this way.




The cemetery is probably the most organized looking cemetery I believe I have ever been in. The grounds were nicely kept and the headstones were lined up in rows so perfectly everywhere you looked. I felt such a sense of perfection. Maybe that is one of the reasons I felt I wasn't suppose to be on the grounds. Maybe because it was a catholic cemetery and it looked so perfect?

I took the above picture as I admired the difference in this memorial. There is a surname, but I don't remember finding dates or any other information. There are a few memorials like this one throughout the cemetery.




Here is a picture of the mausoleum. This is such a beautiful building. Next time I visit this cemetery maybe I will feel comfortable enough to actually going inside. I spent about an hour on the grounds and felt more comfortable the longer I was there. And, as usual, the more I explored the more I wanted to explore!


In the future I will share more pictures and a story or two of some of the more prominent people buried here. For now I wanted to introduce the cemetery to you and give you a flavor of age, beauty and perfection.

Family Friends With Mr. Parade!

Who would have thought when I ran across the headstone of "Mr. Parade" That Ed Kinney would have such a connection with a few of my family members!

As mentioned in my last post I have a relative who was a past mayor of Pleasanton as was Mr. Kinney. My relative was Warren Harding. It turns out that Warren and Ed did know each other. I inquired with another first cousin once removed and here is what she told me.

"Ed Kinney was also a friend of mine. He had the name Mr. Parade as he always narrated the Alameda County Fair Parade from the top of the Pleasanton Hotel and was the person who started the "Good Times Parade" in Pleasanton when two of the announcers on some program on TV had a bet and one was to wheel the winner in a wheelbarrow in a parade. Ed volunteered to have it in Pleasanton, it may have been the years he was Mayor. Ed was also part of our Presbyterian Church and I believe he marched with the Balloon Platoon in the parades. He was a friend of Warren's and they served on the council and also the same church. Ed was very active in the Museum on Main St. (In Pleasanton) and their lecture series is named after him. He had a great laugh and always had a funny story to tell. He had worked one time for a drug company and when asked what he did he always responded with "I sell drugs." We all miss him."

She went to to tell me that she had recently run into Ed's wife and filled me on the rest of the family and what they are doing now.

It is very interesting what my cousin told me here, it is so in sync with everything I had read about Mr. Kinney, with a couple added extras. I wasn't familiar with the Balloon Platoon so I looked into it and found this link if you are interested in knowing more!

http://www.centerpointechurch.info/connect/centerpointe-adults/enjoy/balloon-platoon/

More about "Mr. Parade"

Thanks to Terry Thornton (The Graveyard Rabbit Founder) for showing such interest in my post, "Mr. Parade" about Edward Joseph Kinney. Intrigued as he was, he researched a bit and found more information on Ed on Find a Grave. I decided to follow up on his information and found something intriguing.

Sometime after 1972 Mr. Kinney became mayor of Pleasanton! The smiley face became his political symbol. This information really sparked an interest in me as I had a relative who was also a mayor of Pleasanton! My relative was a first cousin once removed. I wonder if they knew each other? I found them both on the same list, "Community Service Award Recipients" 1964-2007. Mr. Kinney was in 1987 and my relative was listed in 1986. I will be doing more research on this! In fact as soon as I finish this post I will be emailing another relative to dig for info.

In 2004 an award was named after Ed, "The Ed Kinney Community Patriot Award". It is awarded to individuals and organizations who showed citizen and community involvement with top notch work.

A couple of years ago it looks like the Amador Livermore Historical Society did a series entitled, "The Ed Kinney Lecture Series," which in part I know was focused on the pioneers interred in Pleasanton. A day late and a dollar short. I would have loved to be a part of that series, if only they would have a repeat!

I learned the Pleasanton Hotel's balcony was dedicated in the name of Mr. Kinney. This dedication was done about three and a half years ago.

Apparently Mr. Kinney was known for making people feel comfortable and was quite the one with jokes. He was very well liked. It is no wonder the smiley face was his political symbol.

And the "Mr. Parade" on his marker? He was nicknamed that because he announced so many of parades that went through the city!

Graveyard Rabbits "Bury of Rabbits"

I just spent time updating the "Bury of Rabbit's" on the right in my blog list. My but the list has grown! I suggest you check it out and read other rabbit's blogs also, there are many very interesting blogs about cemeteries!

A little over a month since the inception of the Graveyard Rabbits, there are well over 350 articles written for your enjoyment. You will find many interesting photos, markers, traditions, cemeteries, news and information on these blogs.

I am honored to be a Graveyard Rabbit and part of this wonderful association! The articles that have been written thus far are extremely interesting and well done. I urge you to spend some time exploring some of these other blogs also!

Great job rabbits!

"Mr. Parade"

On one of my ventures out on a cemetery visit I hopped on over to Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery. I have passed this cemetery many times in the last 20 years and never knew it was there. It sets on a main road going towards the outskirts of Pleasanton. There is a small driveway, which is difficult to see unless you know it is there. With brush along the side of the road for quite a stretch, you do not expect to see a cemetery entrance here. There isn't any sign of "life" in the general vicinity. Although the cemetery isn't visible from the street it is a perfect place for a cemetery. With address in hand I drove past the cemetery, missed it the first time around. Almost missed it the second time around also, however there were some maintenance trucks by the entrance and that caught my eye. The grounds crew were working on the entrance and actually had the main sign blocked so I couldn't get a good picture of it. But I found the entrance and drove up a little hill into the cemetery.I took a stroll through the grounds and knew it had been through some changes. It was a nice, warm, pretty day in California but the cemetery struck me as old and sad. Sad simply because it was a cemetery and seemed so lonely. But more on the cemetery at a later date, for now I want to share a specific headstone. Carrying the feeling of real sadness as I was walking through, I happened to cross this headstone, and it gave me such a smile!"Mr. Parade!" Edward Joseph Kinney, December 1, 1937 ~ April 29, 2005. And a smiley face! I think this man was a very happy person. But what convinced me all the more was when I looked at the back side of the headstone and saw this...I am sure "Smilin' Ed" brought much happiness to those who knew him. Even after his passing he brought a smile to at least one strangers face, mine.

San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery

I grew up in the area of this cemetery and can remember feeling it was a very erie place. We drove past it many times, the side of it is on a main street. During my younger years, it seemed very dark and dreary, although I am sure just knowing it was a cemetery had a lot to do with that feeling.

I have passed this cemetery a few times during my adult years, the weeds were so very overgrown and the place was a mess. I had heard that kids used to party in the cemetery. As bad as the weeds were the last time I was by and the fact that the cemetery was now fenced in, led me to believe it had be awhile since there had been any parties on this property. 

I had never actually walked through the cemetery before, so on the day I chose to visit I was a little apprehensive as to what I may find. I did find a big rot iron fence around the cemetery, and in order to get into the cemetery you had to go across the street to get the key. It just so happened that tree trimmers were in the cemetery trimming trees and the gate was open. I read the signs, here is the first:



It says:

COUNTY OF ALAMEDA
SAN LORENZO PIONEER MEMORIAL PARK
THIS MEMORIAL PARK WAS DEDICATED BY
THE ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ON MARCH 24,1964 AS A MEMORIAL HONORING
THOSE EARLY PIONEERS OF RANCHO SAN LORENZO
NOW KNOWN AS ASHLAND CASTRO VALLEY
HAYWARD MT EDEN AND SAN LORENZO

THESE CITIZENS BURIED HERE BETWEEN
THE YEARS OF 1852 AND 1951 WERE AMONG
THE FIRST SETTLERS AND FOUNDERS OF
THE AREA WHOSE EARLY FORESIGHT AND
PLANNING BEGAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
TRANSFORMING MILES OF RURAL ACREAGE
INTO A MODERN COMMUNITY OF MANY
THOUSANDS

The second sign was very appropriate for what I saw. The cemetery had been worked on and was getting cleaned up! What a difference since I had seen it last.



The Hayward Area Historical Society was playing a part in the renovation of the cemetery. They offer tours, information and a phone number for anyone who cares to be a part of the historic renovation.

As the gates were open this day, I asked if it was ok to view the cemetery, I was told sure. Next time I post on this cemetery, I will share with you my tour.

Memorials for our Armed Forces

This area at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward is a memorial for our armed forces. First an overall view-



Next a closer view of the eagle and the plaque on the pillar-



The Army-



The Marine Corps-



The Air Force-



The Coast Guard-



The Navy-

Don't Believe It Was Named After This Tree

This was a beautiful view inside the Lone Tree Cemetery, in Hayward. I could have taken a better picture,it really isn't very straight, however I think you can get the jest of it. This large tree on the hill, I don't believe this is the tree I spoke of in my previous post. The tree I spoke of is the tree the cemetery was named after. I have seen a picture of the tree, and it doesn't look anything like the beautiful one on the hill here. I would need to speak with someone at the cemetery to find out which tree is "THE TREE." I will work on that for a future post.

Lone Tree Cemetery and it's Legend

As promised I visited Lone Tree Cemetery recently. Now I know I had posted that this cemetery was listed as "haunted". I visited during the day so I really can't give an objective view regarding if it is "haunted." My view of this cemetery is that it has the most gorgeous settings! Pictures will be posted in the future.

This posting however is to give you a little history on this cemetery. This cemetery has a legend. The basic story goes something like this ~

A few hundred years ago a young Spanish couple came riding through the area and stopped to eat at an old hacienda where many travelers stopped for room and board. After their lunch, they took off on fresh horses towards and area called LONE TREE. This was the only tree seen for miles from this wide open area.

Hours later an old Spaniard came to the same hacienda looking for the young couple, he claimed to be the girls father. The owner of the hacienda pointed him in the direction of LONE TREE, and the old Spaniard took off in that direction.

A few hours later the old Spaniard came back by the hacienda and said his good byes, he was heading back to his home in New Mexico. As night fell the owner became leery as the young couple hadn't returned for their nights stay at the hacienda. Morning came and they still hadn't returned. The owner sent some men out to look for the young man and his bride, surprisingly finding them flat on the ground side by side, both shot. The old Spaniard didn't approve of the two eloping and saw to settling the situation in his own way, and went on home.

The tragedy of the romance stirred a few men. They acquired several acres of land and choose to make the area where the young couple were found a cemetery. The couple was found by the LONE TREE, therefore the cemetery was named the "Lone Tree Cemetery."

The cemetery has had other trees planted on it's site since this time, and lawn has been added. The original "Lone Tree" however is still on the site!

Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Looses Bishop

Bishop Floyd L. Begin died in 1977 and was buried in Hayward at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. I was at this cemetery recently taking pictures. If I had known what was up and coming I would have found where he was, and made sure to take of a picture of his resting place. We rabbits however can't always know everything.

Bishop Floyd L. Begin was from Cleveland, Ohio and was the founding Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oakland on January 27, 1962.

When Bishop Floyd L. Begin passed away he was interred in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery where he rested for thirty one years.

A new cathedral has recently been built in Oakland by Lake Merritt. This cathedral opened about a month ago.

Yesterday, Sunday, Bishop Floyd L. Begin was moved from Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and taken to the new cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ the Light. 

You can read the full fascinating story here:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/ci_10882790

Benjamin Franklin Ingalls and Sophronia Thomas

Grave site of Benjamin Franklin Ingalls and Sophronia Thomas.
Date October 27, 2008. Location Chapel of The Chimes, Hayward, Alameda County, California. Digital Image. Photo by Cheryl Palmer. Privately held by Cheryl Palmer,[address for private use] California. 2008



First my attention was caught on how tall this monument is. Then I saw the name, who could pass up a picture of the name Benjamin Franklin! Ok now, I really didn't believe Benjamin Franklin was buried here in California by any means, but I had to know more about this Benjamin Franklin.

This is actually Benjamin Franklin Ingalls, son of Wm Ingalls. Born in Sullivan, Maine on July 12, 1812. Died December 19, 1879.

Benjamin Franklin Ingalls wife was Sophronia Thomas was born in Eden, Maine on August 28, 1912. Died January 1, 1970.

We can also see that Benjamin's father was William Ingalls. I did a quick look up and found that Olive Preble may be his mother. Actually I found a family tree that looks like this Benjamin fits nicely into. I tried to contact the owner of the tree, but she chose not to have contact from anyone. Hopefully she will catch this post and contact me! (I changed the title just for this reason, maybe it will catch the right eyes) I will have to see if there is any way I can contact this person. If it were me researching this family I would want the picture!

Ghosts, Goblins and Cemeteries

Ghosts and goblins and witches and more
Houses are spooky and haunted for sure
Skeletons hiding in closets all night
Waiting to give you such a big fright!

Cemeteries are dark and scary too
Halloween is not a night there for you
Traipse across a grave and you may find
A scream of "Boo", you'll go out of your mind!


Halloween time it is. What better time to find out about haunted cemeteries? In South Alameda County the cemetery with all the action is supposedly Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward.

The entrance of the cemetery and it's main area is apparently where whispering and thumps have been heard. Grave sites and headstones have had things moved from them and put in places that no one can understand or explain. Whispers and strange movements in the darkness have been reported. Other strange noises along with bells ringing and flashes of lights are also on top of the happenings here.

Can you imagine being in a cemetery and all of that going on? What if you saw a strange circle of light before you, for no reason, and it disappears as suddenly as it came? I understand this has happened and has been captured on film. Along with film evidence strange voices and sounds have reportedly come across on video.

Well for me, I haven't been to this cemetery, yet, anyway. Am I a believer in the supernatural? Can places be haunted? Do things like this really happen? I personally don't believe in these things, but many people do. Some quite strongly. Strange things do happen that no one can explain, this is true. But I am not convinced...I don't think I am convinced...gee, am I convinced?

I think when I plan to attend Lone Tree Cemetery, I will have to do a post announcing this travel date.(I may be a little apprehensive about being on these grounds, this post has me re-thinking my views...) After all, if there were no more posts on this site, wouldn't you want to know that maybe, just maybe, the cemetery got me?

(And no, I will not be going on Halloween!)

Happy Halloween!

Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, California

Chapel of the Chimes Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Date October 26, 2008. Location 32992 Mission Boulevard, Hayward, California. Digital Images. Taken by Cheryl Palmer. [Address for private use] Alameda County, California. 2008

Choosing Chapel of the Chimes as the first to write about may be because it has special meaning to me. My mother and grandmother are buried here, and my sister's in law's are also buried here.

Chapel of the Chimes has been in existence since 1872. They have a beautiful location with flatland and hillside locations for burials. I believe the cemetery covers over 60 acres. There are two levels, one on the ground level and one on a road up into the hillside. I understand on a clear day you can see the San Francisco Bay from the Hillside Gardens. They have indoor and outside mausoleums. I do know that Chapel of the Chimes has the only round mausoleum in California, "The Circle of Peace" which you can see in the back of the upper left hand picture.

I went to Chapel of the Chimes a few days ago. I visited my mother's and grandmother's graves, which are in the "Garden of Honor ll". I remember my mother wanting a plot that was up on the lower hillside and under a tree, and she received her wish. The surrounding grounds are beautiful and green, it was a glorious day for this visit.

I spent a good hour or more at the cemetery, but only on the outside and only on the main level. I visited my sister's in laws. They are located at the opposite side of the cemetery from my family, in an above ground entombment located in the Garden of Memory. The last time I was there, one of the names and dates hadn't been added as of yet, but now the full information is available. A unexpected picture for my personal genealogy.

I took a lot of pictures, and know I need to go back for more, I couldn't cover everything in the time I had allotted on this day. I learned the cemetery has more to it than I have ever noticed before. This time I was more open to exploring, and not just "visiting" which makes a big difference in how you "see" a cemetery.

The entrance to this cemetery does not have an opportune place to stop for picture taking, as you can see in the right hand picture above. As I was turning on my green light into the entrance, I snapped the photo. Never was the car or light in my view until I came home and downloaded the pictures. Next time I visit this cemetery I will walk from "somewhere" to the entrance to take a better photograph. One of the things, among many I be learning, as a Graveyard Rabbit, is to be sure to take good photos!

This Rabbit Will Hop Between These Cemeteries And Cities

I spent the day, and it was a beautiful one at that, out and about taking photos at a couple of cemeteries in Hayward, California. I used up my memory card and ended up having to delete other photos to take more pictures. I wanted to cover two cemeteries today, but the second cemetery didn't get the coverage I would have liked as my camera battery died!

I have to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I took many photos, but haven't been able to download them as my battery is charging. :-) You can expect to see some photos soon!

The purpose of this post though is to let you know the cities/areas/cemeteries in Alameda County that I plan to cover as a Graveyard Rabbit. They are as follows:

All Saints Cemetery, Hayward
Centerville Pioneer Cemetery, Fremont
Chapel of the Chimes, Newark
Decoto Cemetery, Hayward
Dublin Cemetery, Dublin
Fremont Memorial Park, Fremont
Holy Ghost Cemetery, Fremont
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward
Irvington Cemetery, Fremont
Lone Tree Cemetery, Hayward
Memory Gardens Cemetery, Livermore
Mission San Jose Cemetery, Fremont
Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Hayward
Mt Eden Cemetery, Hayward
Oak Knoll Cemetery, Livermore
Ohlones Cemetery, Fremont
Pleasanton Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Pleasanton
Presbyterian Cemetery, Newark
Roselawn Cemetery, Livermore
San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery, San Lorenzo (unincorporated)
St. Josephs Cemetery, Fremont
St. Michaels Cemetery, Livermore

To the best of my knowledge at this point and time, I believe these are all of the cemeteries in the area I am covering. If there are any that have been missed or any that are not existing any longer, this list will be updated.

I am excited about future posts, be sure to check back soon!

Welcome from a Graveyard Rabbit

Welcome to my new blog, "Graveyard Rabbit of South Alameda County." I am honored and excited to be included as a Charter Member of this Association. Let me introduce you to the Graveyard Rabbits!

The founder of the Graveyard Rabbits is Terry Thorton. His Graveyard Rabbit blog is "The Graveyard Rabbit of the Hill Country." Terry chose the name of this association from a poem by Frank Lebby Staton, an American poet from the deep south. The poem is actually called "The Graveyard Rabbits" and refers to graveyards, superstitions and you got it, rabbits!

Blog members of this association will be contributing information on cemeteries in the geographical areas the blog title pertains to. These bloggers will being posting pictures, writing about grave markers, customs, and the historical value of graveyards. We strive to see vandalism in graveyards stopped. We plan to bring you information you can use, and hopefully learn from, including historical content.

You will find a list on the side of this blog that will give you links to other Graveyard Rabbits in various locations. Included will be various Genea-Blogger links that I follow and hope you will also enjoy. I will be working on getting this all updated for you as soon as possible. As time progresses, make sure to check for new Graveyard Rabbit blogs added on this site, we hope to see this list expanding, or should I say multiplying, quickly. Wow, wouldn't that be just like rabbits?

Hope you enjoy my new blog and all of the other Graveyard Rabbit's blogs, I know we will enjoy bringing posts from the cemeteries to you!