Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference

continued from page 16 preserve the gravestone. With the goal of building stronger ties to Wakamatsu Farm, American River Conservancy remains committed to sharing the story of Okei, Matsunosuke, the pioneers of the Wakamatsu Colony, and the enduring legacy of Japanese American immigrants through shared connections to the land where it all began. in each geographical area. The 2022 winners of the Traveling Trophy were Jackson Elementary, Gold Ridge Elementary, and California Montessori Project! A huge thank you to Natoma Station Elementary, Oak Meadow Elementary, Country Day Montessori, and Gold Trail Elementary for giving the winners a tough challenge. Thank you to Datwyler Orthodontics for their tremendous support in contributing to the total items.

Herb Tanimoto is a local author and historian.

What happens now to Okei’s gravestone remains to be determined. To make these decisions, ARC’s board approved the formation of a special committee. The committee will represent members of the Japanese-American community and invite consultation from historians, curators, and spiritual leaders, among others. To inquire, volunteer, or make recommendations or view the community dialog documentation and survey, please contact wakamatsu@ARConservancy.org or call 530-621-1224.

Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit, youth-driven organization with the mission to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. The nonprofit offers hands-on education and community engagement opportunities to youth from kindergarten through 12th grades through school-based and after-school programs in Sacramento and El Dorado counties. For more information, call (916) 2947426 or visit hands4hopeyouth.org

~ Nivi Sudhir Kumar is a Vista del Lago Senior and Hands4Hope Folsom Community Engagement Intern.

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Historic Cemeteries in the Foothills

by Keith Atwater

Many people are probably unaware that El Dorado County is home to literally hundreds of public and private cemeteries, many dating back to the Gold Rush era. Some cemeteries are designated as “active” or “open,” and future burials can be arranged on the grounds. “Closed” cemeteries, where much Gold Rush era history and old families can be found, do not allow additional burials.

There are also many common yet fascinating symbols that can be found in virtually all old cemeteries. These include the Independent Order of Odd Fellows symbol, the Freemason symbol, a weeping willow, an Egyptian obelisk, and a handshake. These examples of the 19th Century Romantic era often overshadow traditional Christian and biblical inscriptions.

Historians estimate that over 10,000 people died in this area between 1850 and 1900, many in unmarked, undiscovered graves. The plethora of graves of babies, youths, and women of child-bearing years reminds us of sad times past when medical procedures and vaccines were not yet widely available.

While many are small family plots on private property, many more are open to the public and easily accessible. Here are a few found “around here:”

Uniontown / Lotus Cemetery was established in 1852 and served the gold mining town of Marshall. Residents expressed their political views by changing the original town name of Marshall to Uniontown in 1855, and later to Lotus in 1861, when the first post office was established. The American River waters can be heard in this shady, one-acre cemetery that has 352 recorded plots. It’s been used continuously by local families for the past 170 years. Several prominent residents and ranchers are buried here, including Ray Lawyer and the Bacchi, Bassi, Grother, Mainwaring and Lohry families. There are some family plots, but only surviving members may be buried here in the future.

5211 Bassi Road, Lotus

Mud Springs / El Dorado Cemetery sits just a block away from the iconic Poor Red’s BBQ and tavern. Strolling among the several hundred graves, one finds veteran’s graves; the older ones indicate what company the soldier was in, and often what war he fought in. The oldest such gravestone honors a soldier born in 1799. Located at the Corner of Church and Cemetery Streets

Clarksville / Mormon Tavern Cemetery can be seen clearly just on the south side of Highway 50 east of the Mercedes-Benz dealer (don’t blink!). This small cemetery, surrounded as most are by an iron fence with an accessible gate, stood alongside the first road to the gold mining camps and beyond.

Originally a stage stop, it was called Mormon Tavern. The bar, restaurant, and lodging house was operated by Mormons who returned from the Mexican War. It was also briefly a pony express remount stop. About 140 Clarksville folks are buried here, including Joerger and several marked “unknown man.” continued on page 23

Other notables found here include Luther Brown Clark and Samuel Kyburz. Clark was one of the brothers for whom Clarksville was named, and the town of Kyburz, east of Placerville, was named for Samuel Kyburz. The Kyburz’ group was part of the Donner Party, but left the group at Salt Lake City, Utah and went a different route, arriving before the snows.

“Clarksville Days,” usually the first weekend of May, celebrates the history of this colorful ghost town.

Before the modern highway 50 was constructed, Clarksville perched on the edge of the original, first transcontinental highway known as the “Lincoln Highway.”

Joerger Cutoff Road, El Dorado Hills

“Upper” or “Old City” Cemetery commands a close-up view of bustling Main Street, the historic Carey House, post office, and Main Street Tap House. Dr. B.F. Keene, first president of the California Medical Society, was buried here in 1856 at the age of 43. His gravestone, like many, is decorated with the Freemason symbol of the geometric compass.

3041 Rector Street, Placerville

Pioneer Hebrew / Jewish Cemetery hides unseen in a quiet neighborhood one block from El Dorado High School. The 33 known graves are maintained by the Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks in the West. The earliest burial was Marcus Abraham in 1856.

His grave marker is inscribed in Hebrew. Another notable Placerville area Jewish family, the Snows, is the source of the name for a Camino Heights Road off Highway 50, Snow’s Road.

This community’s original synagogues are no longer extant. One was destroyed in a storm in 1877; the other was sold and demolished in the early 1900s. Myrtle Street, Placerville

Many cemeteries in our area show the ravages of time, weather, vandalism, and neglect. And people interested in preserving our history took note. In 1996, a small group of local citizens founded and chartered the El Dorado County Pioneer Cemeteries Commission (EDCPCC) to research and study the history of the cemeteries to learn and document what has occurred and is occurring to these valuable and irreplaceable historic and cultural resources.

Historic cemeteries offer much for those who seek them out: a peaceful quiet walk among oak trees, a visual reminder of the many immigrants who came from many places in search of gold and other opportunities. Indeed, many markers read “native of Ireland,” “native of New York,” and other states and countries.

A visit also allows reflection on the loss of loved ones known and unknown, then and now. Many markers state how many years, months, and days the individual lived on this earth. They resonate with life in the past and present here in El Dorado County.

Community Car Show Fundraisers

August 28

Hometown Pride Car Show

Union Mine High School

10a - 3p

Supporting Union Mine FFA

September 5

Automotive Excellence Car Show

Automotive Excellence Auto Shop

9a - 3p

Supporting Foothill Dog Rescue

September 17

Park Community Music Festival and Car Show

Park Community Church

10a - 3p

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