New Jewish Cemetery
(aka Giboth Olam or Hills of Eternity, Navai Shalome or Peaceful Abode, Home of Peace, and Scherith Israel)
Dates of Existence: 1860 to 1896.
Location: between 18th & 20th, Dolores & Church streets.
Number interred: 1,900 (1889).
Moved to: Hills of Eternity Memorial Park (Colma).
“CONSECRATION OF THE JEWISH CEMETERY.—The Hebrew Cemetery in Lot No. 186, near the Mission Dolores, was consecrated yesterday by many of our Jewish citizens. Dr. Eckman, of the Gleaner, performed the religious ceremonies, and Mr. A. Helleb delivered an appropriate and eloquent address. The grounds are to be beautified and adorned with shrubbery. The old burial-ground, on the Presidio road, was found to be too small for the purposes required.”
Source: Daily Alta California, 26 April 1860.
“ DEDICATION OF THE NEW JEWISH CEMETERY. The Jewish burial ground at the Mission Dolores was dedicated yesterday with the customary imposing formalities on such occasions. The audience, which was very numerous, gathered about the platform, on the northern side of the “house for the dead,” which is within the enclosure, when Dr. Eckman opened the ceremonies with a dedicatory prayer, after which Mr. Seligman, in behalf of the Emanu El Congregation, delivered the sacred keys to Mr. Tichner, the President of the Supervisors of the Burial Ground, making at the same time appropriate remarks. He was followed by Mr. Helbing, President of the Eureka Benevolent Society, who at the same time delivered to the President of the Supervisors of the Grounds, the keys hitherto entrusted to him, when he made some brief and eloquent remarks. As the keys were tendered to Mr. Tichner, Chairman of the Directors, he responded, ending with the hope that he would be called upon to open the gates to the “House of Rest” no oftener than the Merciful Father deemed best for the good of his children. At half past eleven, Dr. Elcan Kohn, Minister of the congregation Emanu El, commenced his sermon in the German language. It was eloquent and impressive, occupying about half an hour. After the prayer, the ceremonies closed, and the assemblage returned to town. The Cemetery is pleasantly located on a side hill, a few minutes walk from the depot of the railroad. It contains 10 1/2 acres, of which 6 3/4 are included in Block No. 86. It is substantially fenced in, and has a handsome gateway structure. One of its rooms is dedicated to the purification of the corpse, and is arranged to have hot and cold water admitted for that purpose. The whole place, both as regards the grounds and the building, evinces good taste. A better site could not have been selected for the purpose.”
Source: Daily Alta California, 26 July 1860.
“The Cemeteries of San Francisco. . .NEW JEWISH CEMETERY. Nearly two years ago two new Jewish Cemeteries were established at the intersection of Dolores and Eagle streets, about half-a-mile southward from the Mission. They are separated by Eagle street, and are the respective burial places of the two Jewish Congregations of this city. One is called the Navai Shalome, or the Peaceful Abode, the other the Giboth Olam, or Hills of Eternity.”
Source: Daily Alta California, 22 July 1862, page 1.
“A GRAVEYARD AGITATION.
“Residents of the Eleventh Ward Protest Further Interments in the Mission Cemeteries.
“A mass meeting of residents of the Mission was held last evening at the Mission Opera House, for the purpose of taking such measures as may be necessary to prevent further burials at the Mission, especially that portion lying between Elizabeth [sic] and Nineteenth streets, on Dolores. F.W. Van Reynegom, who was chosen to preside, said that upwards of 3,000 bodies had been there interred, bringing disease, increasing the death-rate and doing more than all other agencies combined to depreciate property and interfere with the prosperity of the Mission.
“Dr. W.E. Weldon read a paper on the deleterious influences of graveyards from a a sanitary point of view. He said that in order to protest the living they must be entirely separated from the dead. It requires six years' time for a corpse to become entirely decomposed, and it is an unquestioned fact that the air around cemeteries is vitiated and dangerous to health and life. He quoted Pasteur in support of the germ theory, approved cremation, and closed with the statement that in his belief the disease and death-rate would be much diminished by proper protection from the dead.
“George Martin said these cemeteries were situated upon the sidehills and the drainage from them must inevitably flow down, to the serious detriment of the residents of the valley. During the past year $50,000 had been spent in grading the streets in the vicinity of the Mission, and the region was recognized as the most beautiful and naturally healthy of the city. The Board of Supervisors had the power to order the suspension of interments, and if the effort was made the residents could secure their demands.
“H.H. Mayhew spoke upon the subject, afterwards reading a paper upon the manner of burials in different ages. He favored the proposition that no more burials be allowed in the cemeteries, as population was increasing in that vicinity.
“The Chair read a petition to the Supervisors, asking that further interments be stopped in the burial grounds named. which he said had already been signed by 1,500 persons. A certificate, signed by a number of physicians, stating that cemeteries were detrimental to health, was also read.
“A.K. Hollis offered the following, which was adopted unanimousły:
“WHEREAS, The public health of a large extent of the most populous portion of the Eleventh ward of the city and county of San Francisco has become imperiled by the constant and frequent burials of the dead in the two blocks bounded by Eighteenth, Twentieth, Church and Dolores streets; and, whereas, said cemeteries, by reason of their situation and surroundings, are not only a source of disease and death by their drainage into the sewer system of the Eleventh ward. and their contamination of the air and water of the whole slope of the Mission Dolores, but are also the means of depriving the owners of property in their neighborhood from the free and lawful use and enjoyment thereof, therefore we, the residents and property-owners of the district injuriously affected by said cemeteries, do hereby, in mass meeting assembled.
”Resolve. First-That the further burials of the dead in said cemeteries is to us a dangerous and deadly nuisance, which we hereby pledge ourselves to use every lawful means in our power to abate.
“Second-That we hereby request the Board of Supervisors of this city and county to at once exercise the power in them by law conferred in the premises, and prohibit further burial of the dead in said cemeteries as a nuisance dangerous to the public health, and for the prevention of the permanent ills which are threatened by a constant accumulation of decaying bodies therein, in the midst of a large and growing resident population.
“Third-That an Executive Committee, of five persons, of whom the Chairman of this meeting shall be one, be appointed to represent the residents and property-owners in the premises; that said committee is hereby authorized and instructed to present a copy of these resolutions to the Board of Supervisors, and in our behalf to urge such measures as may be necessary to close said cemeteries, to consult counsel with reference to enjoining such interments by suit, and also to call such further meetings as the said committee shall deem advisable.
“A.P. Van Duser, while in sympathy with the movement, did not think anything could be done except with the consent of the trustees of the cemeteries. They had vested rights which could not be interfered with. He recommended a conference with the trustees to see if some understanding could not be arrived at.
“Ex-Supervisor James was of the opinion the Supervisors could give no relief; but the Board of Health could,. if the burial grounds were a danger to public health.
The committee called for in the resolution was named as follows: A.K. Hollis, A.J. Gunnison, F.M. Stone, J.J. Serivener and F.W. Van Reynegom.
The meeting adjourned to the call the Chair.
Source: San Francisco Bulletin, 15 December 1885.
“MISSION BLOCK No. 86.
S.W. Eighteenth and Dolores, south 520 feet by west 560 feet. Purchased from Congregation Emanu-El…for $151,350. Deed dated February 18, 1905…”
MISSION BLOCK No. 87.
S.W. Nineteenth and Dolores, south to Twentieth street, west to Church street, north to Nineteenth street, east to beginning. Purchased from Congregation Sherith Israel, for $140,000. Deed dated February 23, 1905…”
Source: Real Estate Owned By the City and County of San Francisco …, A. Carlisle & Co., S.F., 1 July 1909.
“THE HEBREW DEAD.
“Negotiating for New Cemetery Locations.
“The two Hebrew cemetery associations are at present greatly exercising the project of securing a new location. Comparatively few lots remain unsold in either cemetery, and removal in the near future is inevitable. The continual warring of the residents of the Mission against the cemeteries out there was another reason for a change. During the past few weeks committees from the associations have visited numberless locations in San Mateo county, Oakland and even Marin county. Negotiations have been pending relative to the purchase of a tract in the same valley with the new Catholic cemetery and on the opposite slope to it. The tract in on rolling side hill and beautifully located, but certain objections have been found to it as a cemetery location.
“There are some members of the association who are yet averse to moving. They believe that the present cemetery can be used for a number of years. In the Mission Cemetery there are only about eighteen or twenty family plats remaining for sale in the area at present occupied, though there are many plats which may be secured by private purchase from persons who have removed from the city. There is, however, a strip 137½ feet deep fronting along Dolores street, and also a similar strip along the Eighteenth-street side, which has been reserved for burial purposes, and it is the intention and desire of the majority of the association to sell off this portion as residence lots. A street will be cut between the lots and the cemetery proper, and already a thick row of eucalyptus has been planted along the edge of the graves, and when grown will effectually shut off the dead from the living. It is believed that a purchase of new locations will be made in a short time.”
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 21 April 1887, page 7.
“New Jewish Cemetery.
“The corner-stone of the new Jewish cemetery in San Mateo county, near the San Francisco boundary line, will be laid with appropriate ceremonies on Thanksgiving Day, under the auspices of the Temple Emanu-El. The closing of the Nineteenth-street cemetery on January, 1st next has prompted the opening of the new burial-ground, which will have a handsome entrance of stone and a costly chapel. A train will leave Fourth and Townsend streets at 10 o'clook Thanksgiving morning, carrying all who desire to witness the ceremonies.”
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 17 November 1888, page 6.
THE JEWISH CEMETERY.
Disinterments in Progress-The Property to Be Sold.
“Yes,” said A.J. Prager, the head officer of the congregation Sherith Israel, “it is true that the bodies in the old cemetery on Nineteenth street are to be exhumed and the property sold. Ever since the grounds were condemned we have been trying to arrange for its disposal.
“It is a question,” he continued, “whether we have the right to compel persons who own burial plots to give them up, even after the cemetery has been declared a nuisance.
“I have received several good offers for the land. One in particular from an improvement company, who intend to turn the place into a park.
“I am trying to obtain the consent of all parties who have plots in the cemetery to exchange them for graves in the San Mateo Cemetery. Of course, relatives and friends of deceased persons will have to pay the expense of transportation to the new cemetery. Unclaimed bodies will be removed at the expense of the congregation. Fully $25,000 has been received from the sale of lots in the San Mateo Cemetery.
“The work of disinterring bodies is now in progress, and they will all be removed as soon as possible.”
Source: San Francisco Examiner, 28 March 1889, page 2.
“MOVING THE DEAD.
“Scenes at the Old Jewish Cemeteries.
“Strange Procession on San Mateo Road.
“A Thousand Disinterments Made Within the Last Few Weeks.
“Travelers and dwellers along the Mission road leading into San Mateo county must have noticed nearly every morning during the past few weeks big express wagons loaded with coffin boxes slowly winding their way southward. If any one had cared to watch these wagons they would have been seen to turn into the new Jewish cemetery beyond the San Mateo line, and if one had still further investigated the matter it would have been ascertained that the wagons came from the old Jewish cemeteries in the Mission. The story of this transfer is simply another chapter in the growth of San Francisco. Since the year 1860 the great bulk of Jewish burials have taken place either in the “Home of Peace” or the “Hills of Eternity,” from Eighteenth to Twentieth streets, on Dolores, but the law having now declared that the burial places for San Francisco's dead shall hereafter be beyond the boundaries of the city and county, those who have control of these old cemeteries have begun the removal of the bodies therein to the new cemeteries of the same names down along the Mission road.
“The Congregation Emanu-El owns the cemetery “Home of Peace,” and this congregation, in conjunction with the Eureka Benevolent Society, is having the bodies removed from the old to the new resting-place of that name, while the Congregation Sherith Israel is doing the same in connection with the old and new “Hills of Eternity.”
“The work of removal began on July 5th, and nearly a thousand bodies, or all that is left of them, have thus far been removed from the two cemeteries. The work will be resumed again after the Jewish holidays. There are still about a thousand to move. The Congregation Emanu-El and the benevolent society have been removing the contents of all graves as the workmen came to them. Lot owners in the new cemetery of course have the remains of friends reinterred in their own lots, and all others are deposited at the expense of the congregation and society. In the case of the Congregation Sherith Israel only the remains of friends of new lot owners have thus far been removed, but an arrangement is to be made for the transfer of all the dead buried in the old cemetery at an early date.
“The work of disinterment has proceeded daily until now, and has been performed under the personal supervision of Dr. Arthur Regensberger, the city superintendent of vaults and disinterment. A force of about twenty-five men has been constantly employed. The majority of these have been employed digging open the graves. Two or three men have been specially detailed to remove the coffins and their contents after the upper earth has been removed, and several carpenters have been kept busy putting the remains in new zinc-lined boxes. In most cases there was very little found to be removed, though some bodies were in a fair state of preservation. Where the latter was the case the new boxes were all of full size, and even where nothing but ashes remained large boxes were used if enough of the original caskets bad remained to warrant them. In many instances, however, the new boxes conformed to the remains, and the result was that some of the truck loads were made up of boxes of many different sizes. In one instance there were seventy boxes of remains piled up on a single truck, though the average load was between twenty and thirty. The diggers would open a lot of graves each day down to within a single layer of the coffin. Next morning, while the diggers worked on other graves, the special men removed the coffins, or what was left of them, and the boxing was done at once so that the truck could start before noon. In this way from twenty to seventy were removed each day until nearly a thousand had been taken away. Some of the coffins were found soaked with water, and in places where the coffins had rotted away the bottoms of the graves were full of mud. The scene when the diggers were working. knee deep in mud was not an inspiring one.
“The site of the old cemeteries is to be filled in and turned into building lots.”
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 13 August 1892, page 7.
“WANT THE BODIES REMOVED.
“Bad Condition of the Jewish Cemetery in the Mission.
“Since the work of removing some of the bodies out of the Jewish cemetery in the Mission began, some few years ago, the condition in which the ground has been left is anything but what it should be. At present the portion from which the bodies have been removed has been left in a sad state. The holes from which the bodies were removed have been left open, thereby giving the place anything but a pleasant appearance. In the winter season the rainwater lodges in these receptacles, and remains there until evaporation or natural absorption carries it into the surface of the earth. In the summer season these unsightly holes become filled with debris and offensive growths of weeds and other useless matter. All this leaves the ground in a very unsightly condition.
“The bad state of the locality has stirred up the directors of the Eureka Benevolent Society to action. They have accordingly requested the friends and relatives of those buried there to take action with them, and have the bodies removed to the new cemetery in San Mateo.
“At the time the Supervisors prohibited any more interments at the Mission there were about 1900 bodies there. Since that time about 1400 have been removed, leaving about 500 in the old cemetery.
“These bodies the directors are anxious to have taken out and put in more respectable grounds. And to this end they appeal to the relatives to assist in the good work.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 12 May 1893, page 5.
“HOME OF PEACE CEMETERY.
“NOTICE.
“THE REMOVAL OF THE FEW REMAINing bodies interred in the old cemetery on Eighteenth street, between Church and Dolores, has become a matter of immediate necessity.
“The directors of the Eureka Benevolent Society and of the Congregation Emanuel at a joint meeting held May 8, 1893, resolved, before proceeding with the work, to notify and request all plot-owners and others interested in any of the remains still buried there, to take the necessary steps for their removal.
“All parties are respectfully referred to Martin Heller, 114 Sansome street, to perfect arrangements, and for such information as may be required.”
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 19 May 1893, page 7.
“CONGREGATION SHERITH ISRAEL.
“PLAT AND GRAVE OWNERS IN THE NINEteenth-street Cemetery are hereby notified that removal of remains will take place during this month. Interested parties can receive information at the office of the Congregation, northeast corner Post and Taylor streets, daily from 9 to 11 A. M.
“LOUIS BROWN, President.
“ALEXANDER L. BADT, Secretary.”
Source: San Francisco Call and Post, 10 August 1895, page 13.
“DESECRATED GRAVES.
“Hoodlums and Animals Invade the Old Jewish Cemetery-Removal of the Bodies to San Mateo.
“For some time past the Jewish cemetery on Nineteenth street has been the cause of a great deal of trouble to the congregation of Sherith Israel. Graves have been desecrated and complaints from persons having friends or relatives buried there have been frequent. The grounds were inclosed with a new fence, but this did not help matters much. Hoodlums tore down the boards in several places and, wantonly invading the home of the dead, broke the headstones and stole the bricks of the copings. The bodies themselves were not disturbed, but the vandals carried away everything of any value upon which they could lay their hands. Stray animals also made their way into the cemetery and dead horses and cows have been found lying across the graves.
To remedy these annoyances it was originally proposed to build a wall of brick or stone, but upon reflection this idea was abandoned by the congregation. It would be expensive and besides it was thought to be wiser to disinter the bodies and remove them to a more desirable site. The result was the occupancy of the 'Hills of Eternity.' the new cemetery at San Mateo. Comparatively few bodies, only about 500, are now left in the old grounds, but their gradual removal still continues to cause more or less annoyance. It is optional with relatives and friends as to the removal of the bodies, the expense of which is borne by the congregation. All unclaimed bodies are, of course, removed.
“Although a watchman is kept at the old burial grounds and the congregation has offered a reward for the detection of any wanton invaders, the desecrations mentioned still occur occasionally and will probably continue until the transfer of the bodies has been completed. Rabbi Jacob Nieto of Sherith Israel says that the new cemetery is in every way far more desirable than the old, and that the policy of the congregation is to occupy it exclusively at the earliest practicable date.”
Source: San Francisco Examiner, 21 August 1895, page 8.
“Seventeen petrified bodies have been found in the last four years among the 3700 [sic] remains removed from the two old Jewish cemeteries near Nineteenth and Dolores streets.”
Source: San Francisco Call and Post, 26 November 1895, page 7.
“THE MISSION DISTRICT.
“Blocks Bounded by Dolores, Church, Eighteenth and Thirtieth Streets May Be Made a Public Park.
“The work of removing the bodies from the Jewish cemetery on Dolores street, between Eighteenth and Twentieth, to the Home of Peace Cemetery is about completed. The old chapel in the cemetery still stands, but will be torn down in a short time. The lots are being gradually filled up on a level with Dolores street. As yet it is not known to what use these lots will be put, but there is some talk of making a public park out of the ground. The lots will be graded preparatory to any other work that may be determined upon. The west side along Twentieth street has been filled up for about fifteen feet, and considerable dirt has been hauled in and placed in other parts. …”
Source: San Francisco Examiner, 9 January 1896, page 11.
“Uncovered Human Bones.
“Graders working on the property at Nineteenth and Dolores streets, formerly used as a Jewish cemetery, yesterday uncovered several coffins containing human bones. It was thought that all the bones had bee removed from the cemetery to San Mateo County.”
Source: San Francisco Examiner, 1 October 1896, page 8.
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