The Beginning

Deterioration & Rededication

Deterioration
& Closing

People

Maps

Calvary Cemetery

From Wreck to Rec

The excitement brought to San Diego with the Americans also brought people. More people needed more houses, better roads, and a new cemetery. El Campo Santo, San Diego’s first cemetery, was full. The new cemetery, Calvary Cemetery, was much larger.

After 40 years of use in the community, several things changed. Calvary Cemetery was not taken care of properly. The Mission Hills community united to restore it. Many of San Diego’s early important citizens were buried here. They needed respect. Some burials continued, but again the cemetery was not taken care of so it became an ugly, littered place.

This time the Mission Hills community united to have the cemetery closed. This process took a long time, but working together to meet the needs of everyone was successful. Next the Mission Hills residents had to plan for what would take the place of this historical sacred space.

Pioneer Park Memorial