San Mateo County Cemeteries: Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Ocean View Lodge 143 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded in Half Moon Bay in 1868. A benevolent society, with a mission to to “visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan, ” the lodge opened and operated the Odd Fellows Cemetery on San Mateo Road. Many of the early "non-catholic" residents of the coast are buried here including members of the Johnston, Granger, Albrecht, and Hatch families.

The 2012-2013 Half Moon Bay High School Industrial Arts Class created a nice gateway marking the graveyard, and a new fence separates it from adjacent Pilarcitos Cemetery.  The cemetery could use some came.  Many stones are broken or toppled or need cleaning to make them readable.  Although the area was covered with lush green (weeds?) they were not high indicating that some maintenance of the grounds might take place.

Because Pilarcitos and the IOOF cemetery were not separated for years, be aware of the fact that cemetery readings might put your ancestors in the wrong cemetery.  Dana Chaliff's 2004 readings most likely have the correct cemetery, Find a Grave has many burials listed in both.

• Find A Grave
• Dana Chaliff Cemetery Reading 2004
• Odd Fellows History
• Facebook - Half Moon Bay Odd Fellows

Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery

Hwy 92
Box 712
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

San Mateo County Cemeteries : Our Lady of the Pillar

Our Lady of the Pillar Cemetery replaced Pilarcitos Cemetery as the Catholic Cemetery for the coastal area. The first burial occurred in 1921. 

The church and cemetery bear the name, Nuestra Señora del Pillar, of the oldest of the Marian shrines which was erected by St. James in Zaragoza, Spain.

Nestled near the Leon Arroyo, this is the cemetery with a view!  Perhaps that is the reason that  Sunset Magazine included it in its list of “Five Great Cemeteries Worth Exploring in Northern California.”  I could probably name many others that would be on the list ahead of this cemetery, but that is probably because I love the mystique of the old pioneer cemeteries and the little city look of the Italian cemetery.  But the view of the ocean is wonderful.

The graves themselves are interesting, with some very distinctive family plots, including the pink cast of the Bettencourt plot and the lush succulent gardens of the Cunha plot. Among other area families buried there are the Debennedettis, the Dutras, Alvez, Azevedo and many many more.  The grounds seemed well maintained and there were many signs of visiting family.

• Official Web site 
• Find A Grave: Our Lady of the Pillar Cemetery
• Dana Chaliff 2004 Cemetery Reading

P.O. Box 1577,  Colma, CA 94014-0577
(650) 712-1679
Office Hours: By appointment only
Cemetery Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.