A Guide to Los Angeles' Historic Cemeteries: Walking Among the Old Graves of LA
Los Angeles is a city perpetually focused on the new—the next trend, the latest star, the newest development. But beneath the shimmering surface lies a deeper, more resonant history, waiting to be discovered in its quiet, green spaces. For those seeking a connection to the city's past, there's no better place to look than its Los Angeles historic cemetery sites. These are open-air museums, chronicling the lives of the city’s founders, icons, and everyday citizens through stunning funerary art and old graves in Los Angeles.
Exploring these cemeteries offers a peaceful retreat and a profound link to the stories that shaped the City of Angels. This guide will take you through some of the most significant and fascinating resting places, perfect for a reflective afternoon of exploration.
1. Angelus Rosedale Cemetery: The Garden Gem of Mid-Wilshire
Established in 1884, Angelus Rosedale holds the distinguished title of being the first cemetery in Los Angeles to be completely non-sectarian. It was also one of the first on the West Coast to be designed as a "lawn" or "garden" cemetery, a revolutionary concept that replaced the crowded, grim graveyards of the past with a park-like setting meant for the living to enjoy.
A Who's Who of Early LA: Walking through Rosedale is like reading a who's who of late 19th and early 20th-century Los Angeles. Here you'll find the old graves in Los Angeles of:
Charles Fletcher Lummis: The famed writer, historian, and preservationist who walked from Ohio to LA and famously championed Southern California's Spanish heritage. He is also the founder of the nearby Lummis Home.
Harvey Henderson Wilcox: The real-estate developer who, along with his wife Daeida, founded the town of Hollywood.
Biddy Mason: A remarkable figure born into slavery who won her freedom in court and became a wealthy landowner, philanthropist, and founder of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Stones and Styles: The monuments at Angelus Rosedale reflect the Victorian era's diverse tastes. You'll find elaborate mausoleums, ornate obelisks symbolizing eternal life, and beautiful, sorrowful statues. The cemetery is a showcase of funerary art, from draped urns to Celtic crosses, all set against a backdrop of rolling lawns and mature trees.
2. Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Where Silver Screen Legends Rest
Perhaps the most famous Los Angeles historic cemetery, Hollywood Forever is as much a destination for film buffs as it is for history lovers. Founded in 1899 as Hollywood Cemetery, it has evolved into a unique cultural hub where the past is very much alive. Its location across from the Paramount Pictures lot is no coincidence; the studio's founders once owned it.
Famous Residents: This is the final curtain call for a staggering number of entertainment industry legends. Visitors come to pay respects at the graves and crypts of:
Rudolph Valentino: The original "Great Lover" of silent film, whose grave is perpetually adorned with lipstick kisses.
Judy Garland: The beloved star of The Wizard of Oz.
Cecil B. DeMille: The epic film director.
John Huston: Acclaimed director and screenwriter.
John C. Reilly, Chris Cornell, and Dee Dee Ramone: Representing more recent icons of music and film.
Stones and Styles: Hollywood Forever is an architectural mosaic. You can find everything from the grandiose, temple-like mausoleums of the founders of Hollywood to simple, modernist markers. The most visited sites are often the elaborate, artistic memorials, such as the life-sized statue of Johnny Ramone, guitar in hand. The cemetery also features stunning features like the Cathedral Mausoleum with its beautiful stained-glass windows and the serene, lotus-filled Lake Hollywood.
3. Evergreen Cemetery: The Heart of Boyle Heights History
Older than Angelus Rosedale, Evergreen Cemetery & Crematory, established in 1877, is one of the city's oldest and most culturally diverse cemeteries. Located in Boyle Heights, it was, for decades, one of the few cemeteries that would accept the graves of Angelenos from all ethnic and religious backgrounds. Its 67 acres tell a comprehensive story of LA's growth.
A Mosaic of Los Angeles: Evergreen is the final home to a true cross-section of the city's pioneers. Its old graves in Los Angeles include:
The Founders of LA's Communities: Many of the city's early mayors and civic leaders are buried here.
Tongva Tribe Members: The land itself is sacred to the region's original inhabitants.
Pioneers from Diverse Backgrounds: The cemetery has large sections dedicated to early Jewish, Chinese, Japanese, Armenian, and Latino residents, reflecting the rich tapestry of Boyle Heights. The "Lodge Hill" section contains the graves of many of LA's early African American community leaders.
Stones and Styles: The funerary art at Evergreen is a testament to its long history and diversity. You can find everything from simple, weathered wooden markers from the 1880s to grand Victorian monuments and family mausoleums. The variety of symbols and languages on the headstones—from Hebrew and Chinese characters to Spanish and English—visually narrates the story of a burgeoning, multicultural metropolis.
4. Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks (Glendale): The Art-Filled "Memorial-Park"
No guide to a Los Angeles historic cemetery would be complete without mentioning Forest Lawn in Glendale. Founded in 1906, it revolutionized the American funeral industry. Its founder, Hubert Eaton, envisioned a place devoid of "misery and gloom," filled instead with art, faith, and nature. It's less a traditional cemetery and more a massive, 300-acre sculpture garden and tourist attraction.
Famous Residents: Forest Lawn is famously secretive about the exact locations of its most famous residents, but it is known to be the final resting place of:
Clark Gable: The "King of Hollywood."
Carole Lombard: His beloved wife and a superstar in her own right.
Walt Disney: The visionary creator of the Disney empire.
Elizabeth Taylor: The legendary actress (though her grave is in the Forest Lawn in West Hollywood Hills).
Nat King Cole: The iconic singer and jazz pianist.
Stones and Styles: In keeping with its "memorial-park" ethos, Forest Lawn famously requires flush-to-the-ground bronze markers for most graves, creating its signature unbroken vistas of lawn. However, it more than makes up for this with its staggering collection of art. Visitors come to see full-scale reproductions of Michelangelo's "David" and his famous marbles, enormous stained-glass recreations of famous paintings like The Last Supper, and original works like The Birth of Liberty mosaic. It’s a place where the art on display is as much of an attraction as the famous names buried there.
A Living History
These Los Angeles historic cemetery locations are more than just collections of old graves in Los Angeles. They are vital green spaces, historical archives, and art galleries all in one. They remind us that every name on a stone represents a life that contributed to the story of this great city. So the next time you're looking for a moment of peace and a tangible link to the past, consider taking a walk through one of these remarkable places. You'll be walking through the very heart of Los Angeles history.
Have you visited any of these historic cemeteries? Share your experiences and photos with us in the comments below!