Evergreen Historical Cemetery, Santa Cruz

Evergreen Cemetery, established in the 1850s, is a significant historical site located on Evergreen Street in Santa Cruz. This 8-acre public cemetery has now managed by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) since 2008 and is adjacent to Harvey West Park. The cemetery is marked by wrought iron fences encircling some family graves, enhancing its historic charm.

The cemetery's layout is divided into five distinct sections, each reflecting different community and historical influences. These include the Grand Army of the Republic section dedicated to American Civil War veterans who supported the Union; a section for the Freemasons; the main section; the "evergreen extension" added in the 1940s; and a section designated for the Chinese community. This latter section was developed in response to the anti-Chinese sentiments prevalent during the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, allowing for the continuation of traditional Chinese funeral customs such as firecrackers, processions, and food ceremonies using an onsite Chinese oven. In 2014, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History erected a Chinese gate to honor those buried in this section.

The land for the cemetery was donated by the Imus family. One notable early burial was that of a baby named Julia Arcan, who died in Death Valley in 1850. Another early interment, reportedly the first, occurred in 1858 when Harry Speel tragically fell from a cliff at Cowell Beach.

Evergreen Cemetery has faced its share of challenges. It was heavily damaged during the Christmas flood of 1955, which left it in a state of disrepair with overgrown vegetation and toppled gravestones. A significant restoration effort was led by Renie Leaman in 1973 to revive this historic site.

Today, Evergreen Cemetery stands as a testament to Santa Cruz's diverse cultural heritage and historical depth, albeit with tales of being haunted, adding an element of local legend to its rich historical narrative.