Mountain View Cemetery (Altadena, California)

Mountain View Cemetery (Altadena, California) is a historic 32-acre burial ground located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in Altadena, California. Founded in 1882, it is one of the oldest cemeteries in the San Gabriel Valley and is renowned for its scenic views, distinctive monuments, and as the final resting place for numerous notable figures from Southern California history. The cemetery is privately managed by the Mountain View Cemetery Association and remains an active burial site.

History

The cemetery was established in 1882 by the founders of the Altadena community, John Woodbury and Frederick Hastings Rindge, on land originally part of the Rancho San Pascual. Its creation coincided with the early development of the Pasadena area following the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad. The first recorded burial was that of Ella G. Keyes in 1884. The cemetery's design and early growth reflect the Victorian era's rural cemetery movement, emphasizing a park-like setting. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its sections and witnessed the interment of many pioneers from the region's agricultural, artistic, and civic life.

Notable interments

The cemetery contains the graves of many prominent individuals from California history. Noted interments include pioneering aviator and inventor John J. Montgomery, famed big band leader and trombonist Spike Jones, and influential African American architect Paul Revere Williams. Other significant figures buried here are Hollywood actor Charles Aidman, Los Angeles civic leader and philanthropist Luther T. Brown, and California Impressionist painter Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel. The cemetery also serves as the burial site for members of founding Altadena families and veterans from conflicts including the American Civil War and World War II.

Location and description

Mountain View Cemetery is situated at 2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena, California, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains within the Angeles National Forest. The 32-acre grounds offer panoramic views of the Los Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel Valley. The landscape features a mix of mature trees, rolling lawns, and elaborate memorials ranging from simple headstones to large mausoleums and family plots. Its sections are organized chronologically and thematically, including areas for traditional in-ground burials, a mausoleum complex, and a dedicated veterans section. The property is adjacent to the historic Mountain View Mausoleum.

Management and operations

The cemetery is owned and operated by the non-profit Mountain View Cemetery Association, a board of trustees descended from the original founders. It operates as a non-denominational, perpetual-care cemetery, with funds held in an endowment for long-term maintenance. Daily operations are managed by a superintendent and staff who oversee burial services, plot sales, and groundskeeping. The association works in coordination with local funeral homes and is regulated by the California Department of Consumer Affairs's Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. The cemetery remains open for new interments, including traditional burials and cremation niches.

Cultural significance

Mountain View Cemetery is a significant cultural landmark for the San Gabriel Valley, offering a tangible record of the region's development from the late 19th century onward. It is listed on the Altadena Heritage Association's list of significant sites and is frequently included in local historical tours. The cemetery's art and architecture, including monuments by noted sculptors and markers reflecting various cultural traditions, provide insight into the social history of Southern California. It serves as a place of remembrance for local families and a point of interest for historians studying California's pioneer era, Hollywood history, and the American West.

Category:Cemeteries in Los Angeles County, California Category:Altadena, California Category:1882 establishments in California