Dating back to the 1870’s (Circa 1877), Pioneer Cemetery is the final resting place for many of the famous upper Napa Valley pioneers. It wasn’t until 1885 that the site was surveyed and permanently established as a cemetery. Pioneer Cemetery is maintained in a natural setting of Valley Oaks and wild vinca vines. Many of the records related to the cemetery have been lost, therefore, the City has placed a strict limitation on new burials.

4.04.040 Restrictions on interments.
After the effective date of the ordinance adopting this title, full casket burials will not be permitted in Pioneer Cemetery. Except in the event of a public health emergency necessitating expedited disposal of human remains, only inurnments will be permitted in the Cemetery. (Ord. 592 § 1, 2003)

4.04.140 Eligibility for burial.
No person is eligible for burial in the Cemetery unless he or she owns, or is related by blood or marriage to a person who owns, a plot in the Cemetery, or he or she is eligible through a religious, fraternal, or other organization that owns a plot in the Cemetery. The determination of eligibility for burial in a plot owned by a religious, fraternal or other organization shall be made by the plot owner. (Ord. 592 § 1, 2003)

4.04.410 Hours.
The Cemetery shall be closed one half-hour after sunset until one half hour after sunrise. It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for anyone to remain or be present in the Cemetery when such Cemetery is closed.

All regulations related to the cemetery can be found in the Calistoga Municipal Code

Pioneer Cemetery is located on the left-hand side of Foothill Boulevard heading north between High Street and Petrified Forest Road. You may access the Pioneer Cemetery Map and Directory by clicking on the link.  The directory is in alphabetical order to make it easy to find a name.  The Section, Block and Plot number next to the name matches the information on the map.  You will need Adobe Acrobat to open the document.  The document can be enlarged after it is opened to make it more readable. 

View/Print Pioneer Cemetery Directory
View/Print Pioneer Cemetery Directory of Veterans

If you have questions or interesting nostalgic information pertaining to the cemetery, please contact:

Melissa Velasquez
City of Calistoga
414 Washington Street
Calistoga, CA 94515
707-942-2828
mvelasquez@calistogaca.gov

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