Mission Statement

Mt. Whitney Cemetery District Trustees and Management affirm to the community the integrity of the District by upholding the Federal, State and County regulations assigned to the running of a Public Cemetery, while at the same time administering to the needs and attitudes of the community. The District is committed to preserving the heritage, beauty, and tranquility of those cemeteries for which it is responsible by providing professional services with respect and compassion.

History

The first burial in Lone Pine was January 1, 1865, at the Pioneer Cemetery, which was formally established as a town cemetery in 1878. Following the earthquake of 1872, the Earthquake Victims cemetery was created directly across from the current cemetery. Until 1906 when the Pioneer Cemetery was no longer used, the spring water table at that cemetery was so high that burials could not take place, so the town buried people northeast of town on Narrow Gauge Road. In late summer, they would re-bury them at the Pioneer Cemetery. Sometimes, for various reasons, they decided to leave them where buried, creating what we call the Depot Graves, which now are somewhat protected by a barbed wire enclosure so people can no longer drive through the area, but with an opening at the back so those who wish to visit the graves can do so. In 1884 the Knights of Pythias established the main cemetery on Hwy. 395 on land donated by a local rancher. The Mt. Whitney Cemetery District was formed by the Board of Supervisors in 1959.

Cemeteries Managed by the District

There are several cemeteries in the Mount Whitney Cemetery District.  The main active cemetery is the Mt Whitney Cemetery.

Mt. Whitney Cemetery

The Mt. Whitney Cemetery is the main cemetery in use for Lone Pine and the surrounding areas. Mt. Whitney Cemetery was originally established by the Knights of Pythias in Lone Pine and was made possible by the donation of ranch land for this purpose. The cemetery is located right on California Highway 395, on the northern portion of Lone Pine. It is an active cemetery.

Find-A-Grave page for Mt. Whitney Cemetery

Lone Pine Pioneer Cemetery

The first cemetery established in Lone Pine is now referred to as the Pioneer Cemetery. The first burials in this location were Mrs. McGuire and her nine-year-old son, Johnny, who were both killed in the Owens Valley Indian Wars on January 1, 1865. The Pioneer Cemetery was the main cemetery in Lone Pine until 1884, and it was still an active cemetery up until the year 1905. Those buried here were the Town's founders, including C. Begole and A. Johnson, who along with J. Lucas were the first to climb Mt. Whitney. Some members of the Diaz family are also buried here. Diaz Lake is located on the site of their 1870's ranch.

Find-A-Grave page for Lone Pine Pioneer Cemetery

Depot Cemetery

Used in conjunction with the Pioneer Cemetery, this cemetery was an informal burying ground which is now referred to as the Depot Cemetery. During the spring season of wet years, when the water table level at the Pioneer Cemetery was too high to allow for burials, this served as a temporary burying ground north of town. In late summer, when the water table was lower, burials could be disinterred and moved to the Pioneer Cemetery. This area stopped being used in 1914 but there are still grave markers existing today for about 11 identified burials.

The Depot Cemetery graves are located south of Lone Pine Narrow Gauge Road just before you get to the curve near the remains of a train depot building. The depot stood near the 1883 Carson & Colorado narrow gauge railroad track which ran from Nevada to the town of Keeler. The few marked graves in the Depot Cemetery are scattered informally in an open area of high desert terrain. The area is now surrounded by protective barbed wire, with an entrance at the south end.

Find-A-Grave page for Depot Cemetery

Earthquake Grave

Near the Mt. Whitney Cemetery, on the opposite side of Highway 395, is the mass grave for some victims of the 1872 earthquake.  The graves are enclosed and a flag flies over them on a rise above the highway. ‘

Find-A-Grave page for the Earthquake Grave site