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Imperial Historic Cemetery
Imperial, Imperial County, California

GPS: 32.871551, -115.560508

Contributed by Steve Paul Johnson [steve@cleardigitalmedia.com]. Originally recorded by Stacy Vellas [stasia6@earthlink.net] on July 11, 1982. Re-recorded by Steve Paul Johnson and Stacy Vellas on November 19, 2000. Total records = 121.

Driving Directions

Travel to the north end of the City of Imperial on Highway 86. At the intersection with Larsen street, head east. The road curves to the south, and changes names to Clark street. The Cemetery is about 1/10th of a mile from the curve on the east side of the road.

Cemetery Background

The cemetery is no longer used for burials.

The ground is saturated with alkalai, and nothing grows there. There are most likely several more burials than what is listed here, as evidenced by several areas of ground-sinking.

There have been reports of a glowing light dancing in the cemetery. Apparently, there is a light on a water tower near the cemetery which reflects off of a black marble tombstone that causes this eerie glow.

Tombstone Inscriptions

The following records were compiled by Steve Johnson and Stacy Vellas from inscriptions of tombstones remaining as of November 19, 2000.

Adams, Grace, b. 30 Aug 1878, d. 21 May 1903, "Wife of Jas. R. Adam" - "Erected by Woodmen Circle"
Bennett, William Riley, b. 28 Jan 1862, d. 15 Dec 1908
Boone, David, b. 18--, d. 1911
Bowlin, John Dana, b. 11/22/1912, d. 03/27/1914
Brewer, Merril A., b. 1904, d. 1931
Brewer, Percy G., b. 1863, d. 1926
Brock, Elizabeth (Betty), b. 1875, d. 05/17/1913
Cohen, Hagar, b. 12/13/1840, d. 10/12/1918
Denniston, Wade Greer, b. 1906, d. 1913
Fuller, Simon K, b. 11/09/1825, d. 09/10/1910, Grand Army of the Republic, 18-- to 1866
Grumbles, Anna A, b. 1844, d. 1921
Grumbles, Samuel A, b. 1842, d. 1919
Hollingworth, W.L., b. 1878, d. 1917
Ingram, Benjamin Richard, d. 27 Mar 1917, 67y
McAllister, Harriette
McAllister, Lafayette, b. 1845, d. 1911
McPeak, W.C. Mrs., b. 1890, d. 1930
Pitts, Mendozie, b. 1892, d. 1923, "Our Mother"
Sonoda, Ichizo
St. Clair, John, b. 1871, Unreadable
Stewart, Ward, b. 02/29/1872, d. 06/19/1949
Strowger, C. H., b. 7/1864, d. 03/04/1920
Tasaki, Matsuhei, d. 12/25/1913
Tolle, Mary Augusta, b. 07/16/1884, d. 06/30/1907
Turner, Danl, Corp'l
Wood, Helen G. Fuller, b. 1861, d. 1912

Catholic Section:

There is an area adjacent to the cemetery to the north east, where Catholics were buried. Only three markers are visible. There could be more burials.

Garmon, Mironis, b. 1928, d. 02/16/1930
Halpin, Lillian, b. 01/29/1910, d. 06/12/1910
Ledesma, A., d. 09/11/1914, husband of Fernanda Gonzales

County Recorder's Office

The following records were compiled by Stacy Vellas from death records at the Imperial County Recorder's Office. These are all showing as being interred at this cemetery.

* indicated on the record as having no grave marker

??, ??, age about 60 yrs, bur. 17 Jun 1909, died of heat, brought in from about 35 miles out in the desert
??, Frank, b. Austria, d. 21 Dec 1918, bur. 28 Dec 1918, age about 35y, heart disease
Allen, Margaret Mrs., d. 22 Aug 1906, bur. 23 Aug 1906, age 96y, old age
Allison, Baby Girl, b. 23 Feb 1909, California, d. 23 Feb 1909, bur. 23 Feb 1909, Stillborn, d/o John J. Allison & Effie Ruston, *
Amabisca, Antonio, b. 03 Jun 1905, Imperial, d. 09 Dec 1905, bur. 10 Dec 1905, d/o James Amabisca & Rosa Barlage, ilio colitis
Andrews, Baby Girl, b. 02 Mar 1909, Imperial, d. 03 Mar 1909, bur. 03 Mar 1909, d/o A.O. Andrews & Nanie B. Minnio, stillborn
Anguiano, Alverto or Alberto, b. Mexico, d. 14 Nov 1907, bur. 15 Nov 1907, age 28y, s/o Salves Anguiano, ptomaine poisoning
Bartmus or Bantmirs, Mitchell, b. 03 Nov 1876, Germany, d. 24 Jul 1909, bur. 26 Jul 1909, s/o M. Bantmirs & Maria Walk, Irisolation
Borlaje, Frank Mrs., d. 1-13-1909, bur. 10/14-1909, age 86, Tuberculosis, *
Bradley, James Larkin, b. 23 Dec 1850, Tennessee, b. 14 Nov 1908, bur. 15 Nov 1908, Tuberculosis, s/o Landin Bradley & Mary Ann Baird, *
Bradley, Thomas Eugene, b. 29 Jan 1852, Clarksville, TN, d. 21 Nov 1907, bur. 22 Nov 1907, Cerebral Spinal Meningitis, s/o Larkin Bradley & Mary A. Baird *
Brandt, William, d. 20 Jan 1908, bur. 21 Jan 1908, age 40y, pulmonary tuberculosis
Bret (Breel or Breth), Alex J., d. 10 Jan 1908, bur 11 Jul 1908, Typhoid Fever, *
Brock, Elizabeth "Betty", b. 03 Mar 1874, Tennessee, d. 17 May 1913, bur. 17 May 1913, Chronic Pulmonary Tuberculosis, d/o J. H. Price & B. E. Smith, "Mother"
Brock, Eugenie Anna, b. Nov 1843, d. 13 Sep 1907, bur. 15 Sep 1907, Heart Failure
Brown, Etta Mae Fuller, b. 27 Apr 1868, Iowa, d. 09 Jul 1910, Brawley, CA, bur. 11 Jan 1910, Chronic Nephritis, d/o Elvin Millard Fuller & Etta Mit Maliei Matterson, "Granddaughter"
Byars, Baby, b. 21 Oct 1922, Imperial, CA, d. 21 Oct 1922, bur 22 Oct 1922, Premature birth, s/o Eugene S. Byars & Diane Loflin, "Son of Mr. & Mrs. G.S. Byars"
Carr, Parthenia Francis, b. 09 Mar 1861, Macon County, MO, d. 27 Jan 1908, Calexico, CA, bur 27 Jan 1908, Pneumonia, d/o Robert Wares, "Mother"
Castro, Benjamin, d. 24 Apr 1909, bur. 25 Apr 1909, age 74, Bright's Disease, *
Chaplin, Pearl Miss, b. 21 Jul 1887, Nebraska, d. 24 Nov 1905, bur. 26 Nov 1905, d/o Ralph Chaplin & Rena Moore, tuberculosis of lungs
Chides, Charles, b. 31 Dec 1865, New York, d. 10 Apr 1908, s/o Charles H. Chides & Cornielia Olvestead, heart disease
Cisneros, Anastasia, b. Mexico, d. 18 Aug 1908, bur. 19 Aug 1908, age 35y, pneumonia from miscarriage, plot: block 125, lot 3, space 1
Clarahan, Mary Price, b. 23 Sep 1863, Missouri, d. 14 Dec 1910, Holtville, CA, bur 16 Dec 1910, Paralysis, d/o Holmes
Cohen, Abraham J., b. 11 Apr 1846, New York, d. 17 Jan 1912, bur. 18 Jan 1912, s/o Joseph Cohen & Deoz, "Beloved Husband and Father".
Cohen, Hagar Mrs., b. 13 Dec 1840, New York, d. 12 Oct 1918, bur. 14 Oct 1918, Arteriosclerosis, d/o Joseph B. Nook & Hannah Deoz, sp. A.J. Cohen, "Beloved Wife and Mother".
Conrad, Kauslo, d. 30 Jul 1908, bur. 04 Aug 1908, age about 60 yrs, Heart Failure, *
Cook, Bert, b. Imperial, d. 25 Apr 1908, bur. 29 Apr 1908, age 2y 5m, s/o Arthur W. Cook & Lottie Cook, acute enteritis
Dorman, May, b. 12 Jul 1909, California, d. 14 Jul 1909, bur. 15 Jul 1909, d/o Seth S. Dorman & Mary Colby, Alalectosis Pulmoneumia
Downing, Ronald Ray, b. 20 Dec 1893, California, d. 26 May 1908, bur. 26 May 1908, Diphtheria, s/o David M. Downing & Isabella Miller, *
Duncan, Daniel, d. 22 Aug 1908, bur. 23 Aug 1908, age about 55y, apoplexy, plot: block 125, lot 2, space 4
Eshelman, Infant Son, b. 09 May 1908, California, d. 09 May 1908, bur. 09 May 1908, Immature Development, s/o J.M. Eshelman, *
Fenwald, Baby Girl, b. 22 Nov 1908, Imperial, d. 25 Nov 1908, bur. 26 Nov 1908, d/o Chas. W. Fenwald & Jessi MacKey, pulmonary alateclares
Fuller, Mary A., b. 10 Feb 1827, New York, d. 03 Jan 1908, near Brawley, CA, bur. 05 Jan 1908, Dysentery, d/o John R. Swarthorse & Margaret van Riper, "W.R.C. 1883 Womens Relief Corps"
Fuller, Silas Clarence, b. 22 Jun 1858, Iowa, d. 14 Nov 1913, bur. 16 Nov 1913, Cerebral Hemorrhage, s/o S.K. Fuller & M.A. Srvantout, "Father"
Gaunon, Jas. Y., b. Ireland, d. 22 Apr 1908, bur. 24 Apr 1908, age about 40y, peritonitis by stab wounds, plot: block 125, lot 3, space 4
Goodrich, Emily Gertrude, b. 01 Feb 1834, Maine, d. 09 Jul 1908, bur. 10 Jul 1908, Heat Exhaustion, d/o Sullivan & Goldleaf, *
Gray, John, b. Kansas, d. 04 Nov 1907, bur. 04 Nov 1907, age 57y, septic intoxication
Greenleaf, George Thayer Dr., b. 28 Jan 1861, Chicago, IL, d. 28 Apr 1908, bur. 29 Apr 1908, s/o William Greenleaf & Frances Thayer, "Woodman of the World"
Grumbles, Anna America, b. 02 Feb 1844, Missouri, d. 24 Apr 1921, bur. 26 Apr 1921, Myocarditis, d/o William Morris & Margaret Murdock
Grumbles, Samuel Houston, b. 11 Jun 1842, Texas, d. 05 Dec 1919, bur. 08 Dec 1919, Apoplexy, s/o John Grumbles & Caroline Youngblood
Hanson, Harold, b. 08 Jul 1847, Christiana, Norway, d. 04 Feb 1909, bur. 06 Feb 1909, suicide poisoning
Hare (Hore), Peter, b. 1884, Denmark, d. 22 Dec 1908, bur. 23 Dec 1908, Tuberculosis, s/o Andes Hore, *
Harten or Hasten, Eliza, d. 16 Feb 1910, bur. 17 Feb 1910, age 56y, apoplexy
Hoard, John Lee, b. 28 Dec 1874, Texas, d. 18 Dec 1908, bur. 19 Dec 1908, Tuberculosis, s/o S.B. Hoard & Mary Hobly, *
Ingram, Benjamin Richard, b. 04 Jun 1850, Mississippi, d. 26 Mar 1918, bur. 28 Mar 1918, Arteriosclerosis & Erysipelas, s/o William H. Ingram & Mary Grimsley, "At Rest age 67"
Johnson, William Franklin, b. 04 Sep 1880, Texas, d. 27 Jan 1918, bur. 28 Jan 1918, s/o G.W. Johnson & Melissa Rush, Laryngeal Tuberculosis
Jovanes, Florencia, b. 27 Nov 1907, Chihuahua, Mexico, d. 19 Jul 1908, bur. 21 Jul 1908, d/o Juan Jovanes & Carmen Macias, acute indigestion, plot: block 125, lot 3, space 5
Kardina, Frances, d. 18 Nov 1909, Holtville, CA, bur. 20 Nov 1909, age 41, Tuberculosis, d/o Joseph Bruna & Anna Lander, "May She Rest In Peace"
Lathrop, Cynis F., d. 28 Jan 1910, bur. 31 Jan 1910, age about 51y, acute nephritis
Lond (Lord or Land), J. H., b. 17 Jul 1857, Illinois, d. 15 Mar 1908, bur. 16 Mar 1908, Pneumonia, *
Long, Luella Beryl, b. 19 Jul 1897, Mariposa, CA, d. 19 Dec 1908, bur. 23 Dec 1908, d/o Arthur E. Long & Viola Mitchell, velouche partidises
Malkim, Virginia, b. 15 Sep 1907, Long Beach, CA, d. 05 Apr 1908, bur. 07 Apr 1908, d/o J.R. Malkim & Grace Shurnno, catamhae pneumonia eutero colitis
McCabe, Iva, b. Los Angeles, CA, d. 15 May 1908, bur. 16 May 1908, age 18y 4m, d/o John Goodlim & Rose Thomas, burned, plot: block 111, lot 4
McCollum, Ella P., b. 09 Nov 1866, d. 20 Jul 1910, near Holtville, CA, bur. 24 Jul 1910, Typhoid Fever, note: Ella's headstone is in this cemetery, but her body was buried on a ranch 3 miles west of Calexico, CA.
McDeirth, J.W., b. Colorado, d. 26 Sep 1909, bur. 27 Sep 1909, age 25y 2m 23d, Railroad Accident at Araz
McKee, Virgil Thomas, b. 12 Jun 1906, Michigan, d. 24 Feb 1908, bur. 26 Feb 1908, Accidental Drowning, s/o Bert McKee & Nettie Taylor, *
McPeak, W. C. Mrs., b. 26 Jul 1890, Stockton, MO, d. 20 Dec 1920, bur. 23 Dec 1922, Postpartum Hemorrhage, d/o George M. Garden & Elizabeth Lacy
Mills, George Washington, b. 08 Oct 1856, Mississippi, d. 18 Dec 1909, bur. 19 Dec 1909, Lumbar Pneumonia
Modesta, ?, b. Mexico, d. 13 Jun 1909, bur. 15 Jun 1909, age about 30 yrs, Gun shot wound
Molina, Francisco, b. Mexico, d. 08 Feb 1909, bur. 09 Feb 1909, age 48y, hemorrhage of the lungs
Morano, Pepita, b. Mexico, d. 01 Dec 1907, bur. 02 Dec 1907, age 18y, w/o Prexedris Morano, shot by husband
Morris, Daniel Boone Jr., b. 07 Apr 1876, California, d. 30 Dec 1915, bur. 02 Jan 1916, Lumbar Pneumonia, s/o Daniel Boone Morris Sr. & Mary M. Shaw
Pike, Avita Marisola, b. 06 Sep 1905, Texas, d. 06 May 1907, bur. 07 May 1907, d/o M.D. Pike & Bella Carr, cerebro spinal meningitis
Pitts, Mendoza, b. Tennessee, d. 06 Jun 1923, bur. 10 Jun 1923, age: about 56, notes: race - colored, "Our Mother"
Puinkiuy, Jennie A., b. Aug 1886, Canada, d. 28 Sep 1909, bur. 29 Sep 1909, d/o Daniel Pyle, incomplete abortion
Ralphs, Laura Adrian, b. 08 Nov 1908, d. 09 Apr 1910, bur. 10 Apr 1910, d/o Chas. Ralphs & Lela Cram, congenital mitral insufficiency, plot: Section 85 N.W. corner
Ralphs, Laura Adrian, b. 08 Nov 1909, San Bernardino, CA, d. 09 Apr 1910, bur. 10 Apr 1910, Congenital Natal (heart) insufficiency, d/o Silas Ralphs & Lela Crarn, "Baby Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ralphs"
Randolf, Bert, b. Kansas, d. 28 Mar 1906, bur. 29 Mar 1906, age 33y, pulmonary tuberculosis
Raymond, Lloyde, b. 07 Nov 1901, Michigan, d. 18 Dec 1907, bur. 20 Dec 1907, Diphtheria, s/o Roy M. Raymond & Maud Dorr, *
Raymond, Myra Bell, b. 31 Jul 1904, Michigan, d. 24 Dec 1907, bur. 24 Dec 1907, Diphtheria, d/o Roy Raymond & Maud Dorr
Renk, Antonete Bell Stevens, b. Iowa, d. 17 Nov 1907, bur. 18 Nov 1907, age 36y, d/o W. Pluvens & S. Jones, bright's disease
Roach, Walter Emery, b. 09 Apr 1906, New York, d. 26 Jan 1908, bur. 26 Jan 1908, Gastroenteritis, s/o Adelbert Roatch & Eleanor Butts, *
Rodriguez, Juana, b. 1863, Mexico, d. 23 Feb 1919, bur. 24 Feb 1919, d/o Dioniso Garcia & Pasquerla Valdez, pulmonary tuberculosis
Schwah, Frieda, b. 17 Jul 1907, California, d. 24 Sep 1908, bur. 25 Sep 1908, Accidental Drowning, d/o Eugene Schwah & Sophie Spielhauptes, *
Sherman, Willard Selwyn, b. 08 Sep 1908, California, d. 27 Apr 1909, bur. 28 Apr 1909, s/o E.W. Sherman & Myrtle M. Smith, catarrhal pneumonia, plot: block 13, lot 2, space 6
Southwell, Baby, b. 24 Mar 1910, Imperial, d. 24 Mar 1910, bur. 24 Mar 1910, par. W.H. Southwell & Astie Beer, premature birth
Southwick, Orra D., b. Utah, bur. 14 Apr 1908, pulmonary tuberculosis
Sproule, Florence M., b. 28 Feb 1871, Tennessee, d. 03 Mar 1916, bur. 04 Mar 1916, Tuberculosis, d/o W.A. Newport & Kizie Thompson, sp. C.M. Sproule
Staredi, Groveil, b. Mexico, d. 31 May 1910, bur. 01 Jun 1910, age about 27y, insolation
Stewart, A. Ward, b. 29 Feb 1872, West Virginia, d. 19 Jun 1949, bur. 23 Jun 1949, Intestinal Obstruction, par. Perry P. Stewart & Catherine Fuller
Stomas, David Oscar, b. Aug 1880, Canada, d. 07 Aug 1908, bur. 08 Aug 1908, Peritonitis, s/o Robert Stomas & Elizabeth, *
Stratler, Mary Elizabeth Mrs., b. 18 Apr 1883, Texas, d. 30 Dec 1908, bur. 01 Jan 1909, Prolonged Uterine Hemorrhage, d/o William J. Wallace & Emily H. Berry, *
Strowger, Clifford H., b. Jul 1864, New York, d. 05 Mar 1920, bur. 17 Mar 1920, Thrown out of wagon disc plow wheel going over his head
Tenant, George, b. Ireland, d. 23 Sep 1909, bur. 23 Sep 1909, age 68y, Apoplexy
Tout, Ida B., b. 12 Dec 1864, Iowa, d. 27 Mar 1910, bur. 29 Mar 1910, La Grippe, d/o Hiram Bill & Hilda Bradford
Tuttle, Mary E., b. 09 Apr 1847, Maine, d. 04 May 1908, bur. 06 May 1908, d/o Joseph Horn & Mary Ann Carson, *
Van Horn, Marion, b. 1896, Arizona, d. 08 Sep 1908, bur. 08 Sep 1908, Diphtheria, d/o W.A. Van Horn & Maggie Moomaw, *
Vergarine, Rosco, b. Mexico, d. 06 Dec 1918, bur. 07 Dec 1918, age about 45y, gunshot
Walsh, Agnes Katherine, b. 07 Aug 1909, near El Centro, d. 11 Aug 1909, bur. 12 Aug 1909, d/o Hugh D. Walsh & Julia Coh, Sipsis Cord Infection
Waterman, Guy Sidney, b. Louisiana, d. 13 Feb 1907, bur. 19 Feb 1907, age 24y, suicide poisoning
Witherspoon, J.M., b. Texas, d. 08 Feb 1908, bur. 09 Feb 1908, age 60y, La Grippe

Tasaki Murder

On Christmas of 1913, Matsuhei Tasaki, a restaurant owner was murdered for his money, and was subsequently buried here. His assailants were never found. The following appeared in the "The Brawley News" following his death:

"The Brawley News

Friday, December 26, 1913

Robbers Slay Japanese at Imperial Bold Desperados Shoot Two Restaurant Men and Escape

Two bold bandits yesterday afternoon shot and killed M. Tasaki, proprietor of the Mocha restaurant, opposite the King Cotton hotel at Imperial, and seriously wounded I. Takahashi, waiter, and escaped.

Sheriff Meadows and his deputies are on their trail and it is not believed they can escape capture. A battle to the finish may be fought, for it is believed the fugitives are gunmen of experience and entirely reckless of consequences.

The sheriff has only a meagre description. The wounded Japanese was so excited he did not observe their appearance carefully. One man was tall, wearing a black hat, the other short, and both were dressed as workingmen.

The slayers ate their meal in the restaurant during the day and the hospitable proprietor did his best to serve an enjoyable Christmas dinner. Late in the evening when everyone was gone except the Japanese, the desperadoes entered heisurely, covered Tasaki with revolvers and ordered him to throw up his hands. He started to run and was instantly shot dead.

Tasaki's wife was hiding in terror behind the counter and the slayers did not see her. Takahashi, the waiter, entered and, was shot in the side. It is hoped he may recover.

The bandits looted the till of $60."