Oregon City, Oregon - The Friends of Mountain View Cemetery work with city staff to preserve and promote our historic cemetery, and to share the stories of those who are buried in the cemetery since 1848.
The Friends of Mountain View Cemetery was formed many years ago by a group of local citizens dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the city cemetery. Although many of our original members are no longer able to be actively involved, today's members are committed to continuing their mission.
The first burial at Mountain View Cemetery took place on January 2, 1848 when the 2 1/2 year old son of Dr. Forbes Barclay, John (Jean Jacques) was buried on a portion of the William L. Holmes Provisional Land Claim. John, who had died at Fort Vancouver on December 31, 1847, now lies in a portion of the cemetery purchased May 5, 1855 from Mr. Holmes by Multnomah Lodge No. 1, A. F. & A. M., of which Dr. Barclay was a member and Past Master.
In 1850, under the Donation Land Act, Mr. Holmes confirmed his ownership of 640 acres on the hilltop, then well outside the city limits. He allowed continued burials of city residents on the far east portion of his D. L. C. and in January 1856 agreed to convey five acres to the "City Corporation" by deed. In 1863 the City Council reviewed their records and determined that no deed had been recorded. On April 29, 1863 Mr. and Mrs. Holmes sold the five acres immediately west of the Masonic Cemetery to the city for $5.00 and the deed was officially recorded in Clackamas County. The oldest headstone in the "Old Cemetery" section is for Dr. William Allen, who died June 9, 1851, although newspaper articles from 1848 to 1851 confirm other burials in the "city cemetery" during that time period.
The Old Cemetery, along with a parcel to the east of the Masonic Cemetery purchased by the International Order of Odd Fellows, contain the oldest graves of the pioneer families of Oregon City.
In these three section lie the business men, bankers, steamboat men, farmers and laborers of the city and surrounding countryside; their wives, many of whom were themselves active in the civic life of the city; and their children, many who died much too young,
The first addition to the cemetery was purchased in the 1890s and the cemetery has grown steadily since that time as additional burial space was needed. The early City Councils firmly believed that it was a the responsibility of the city to provide a place for all citizens of Oregon City to be buried.
Unlike many pioneer cemeteries in Clackamas County, Mountain View Cemetery is still expanding and providing burial options to the community. The cemetery is a part of the city Parks & Recreation department and maintained by park's staff.
In the early days of the cemetery the only charge for burial in the old portions of the cemetery was up to $5.00 paid directly to the caretaker, who drew no salary otherwise. After the expansion in the 1890s the burial fees were paid directly to the city and the fees slowly increased to $25.00 and $50.00. The concept of "perpetual care" did not exist in the first 100 years of the cemetery, and the cemetery staff welcome volunteer help to maintain the older parts of the cemetery today.
Join us in our mission to conserve our historic cemetery!
The mission of the Friends of Mountain View Cemetery is to assist in the conservation and historic integrity of Mountain View Cemetery.
