Located just off California State Route 94, Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum had its first burial in 1919. It is the only Catholic Diocesan Cemetery currently serving San Diego County (sounds like it should have a drive-thru window, huh?). Visible from most incoming flights to San Diego, it is very well-maintained and feels safe. Unlike a neighboring cemetery (that shall remain nameless here), the mausoleums are accessible during the day without having to ask an attendant to unlock the doors. You also won’t find a plethora of buckets filled with water from leaks as a result of deferred maintenance.
The Mausoleum was added in 1939, and where a number of my relatives (from the Italian side!) are interred.
Walking through the grounds of a cemetery is like a combined tour of both art and history. I enjoy seeing the statuary and markers (some more than others) and attempting to fill in the blanks of those buried below. The saddest markers of those of the children, knowing that their parents must have been overcome with grief at such early loss.
I didn’t see too many family tombs, but the styling of this one was outstanding.
The inside of the mausoleum is tastefully done, with beautiful statues, art, and stained glass throughout.
Some of the people I recognized buried here included Willam Gargan:
Known to me because he played Shirley Temple’s father in “Miss Annie Rooney” (1942), pictured at center:
The previously mentioned actress Charlotte Henry, from “Alice in Wonderland” (1933) and “Babes in Toyland” (1934):
Andrew Cunanan, who went on a killing spree across the country in 1997 (ending in Miami Beach with the death of Gianni Versace), is also interred here. He was born in National City, not that far from Holy Cross Cemetery.
Still to find are silent screen actress Anita Page and actor Johnny Downs. Looks like a return visit is on the to-do list.
See more photos at my main website.
1 comment:
I have to admit, the grave markers are a work of art.
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