Marquez Cemetery Wall Restoration
Donation protected
The Pascual Marquez Family Cemetery in Santa Monica Canyon, Los Angeles, California . established in the 1840s, holds the remains of family members and friends of the Mexican land grant Rancho Boca de Santa Monica. Although no official records have been kept, it is believedthat at least 50 people are buried there.
The land within the cemetery’s adobe walls is most likely the only land from a Mexican land grant still in the hands of the original grantees . It is the site of the first permanent home built in the Santa Monica area. It is among the oldest private family cemet
eries in Los Angeles and stands proudly as a reminder that the families involved with it have lived through and experienced the major events that shaped the history of California from its very beginning.
A few years ago, the Cotson School of Archaeology at UCLA conducted a survey of the cemetery to map the location of the graves. They
were able to locate the position of many of the graves. Shortly thereafter, The Institute of Canine Forensics brought in grave sniffing dogs to do the same task. The work of the dogs was remarkable. They came up with the same results as the ground penetrating radar!
Armed with the knowledge of the location of the graves, the Marquez family has landscaped the cemetery to respect the location of the graves. Unique crosses have been handcrafted by 93 year old Ernest Marquez to mark each of the grave sites and a beautiful tile monument containing the names of all those known to be buried in the cemetery now stands prominently in the cemetery.
At this time, the cemetery is facing a most serious challenge: how to fund the repair and restoration of the adobe wall surrounding the cemetery. This wall, designed by architect John Byers, was erected in 1926 and has protected the cemetery for over 90 years. The simplicity and charm of the cemetery is hidden behind this wall where members and friends of the Marquez family rest in peace. This historical place with its simple and peaceful ambience deserves to be protected and preserved in perpetuity.
For 177 years, the Cemetery has remained in the hands of the Marquez family, who have labored to preserve and protect it from development. It has been a difficult task, as land values in the area have increased, and the Cemetery needs regular tending and maintenance. Won’t you please join us in our efforts to rebuild the wall and protect the integrity of this historical treasure?
The land within the cemetery’s adobe walls is most likely the only land from a Mexican land grant still in the hands of the original grantees . It is the site of the first permanent home built in the Santa Monica area. It is among the oldest private family cemeteries in Los Angeles and stands proudly as a reminder that the families involved with it have lived through and experienced the major events that shaped the history of California from its very beginning.
A few years ago, the Cotson School of Archaeology at UCLA conducted a survey of the cemetery to map the location of the graves. Theywere able to locate the position of many of the graves. Shortly thereafter, The Institute of Canine Forensics brought in grave sniffing dogs to do the same task. The work of the dogs was remarkable. They came up with the same results as the ground penetrating radar!
Armed with the knowledge of the location of the graves, the Marquez family has landscaped the cemetery to respect the location of the graves. Unique crosses have been handcrafted by 93 year old Ernest Marquez to mark each of the grave sites and a beautiful tile monument containing the names of all those known to be buried in the cemetery now stands prominently in the cemetery.
At this time, the cemetery is facing a most serious challenge: how to fund the repair and restoration of the adobe wall surrounding the cemetery. This wall, designed by architect John Byers, was erected in 1926 and has protected the cemetery for over 90 years. The simplicity and charm of the cemetery is hidden behind this wall where members and friends of the Marquez family rest in peace. This historical place with its simple and peaceful ambience deserves to be protected and preserved in perpetuity.For 177 years, the Cemetery has remained in the hands of the Marquez family, who have labored to preserve and protect it from development. It has been a difficult task, as land values in the area have increased, and the Cemetery needs regular tending and maintenance. Won’t you please join us in our efforts to rebuild the wall and protect the integrity of this historical treasure?Organizer
Eileen Bonaduce
Organizer
Santa Monica, CA
