Mountain View Cemetery (Vancouver) facts for kids
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Mountain View Cemetery's landscape operations building
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| Details | |
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| Established | 1886 |
| Location |
5455 Fraser Street, Riley Park–Little Mountain, Vancouver, British Columbia
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| Country | Canada |
| Type | Non-denominational |
| Owned by | City of Vancouver |
| Size | 0.43 square kilometres (110 acres) |
| No. of graves | 92,000 |
| No. of interments | 145,000 |
Mountain View Cemetery is the only cemetery in Vancouver, British Columbia. It opened in 1886. You can find it west of Fraser Street, between 31st and 43rd Avenues. The City of Vancouver owns and runs this cemetery. It covers about 0.43 square kilometers (106 acres). There are more than 92,000 grave sites here. Over 145,000 people are buried or remembered at Mountain View. The very first person was buried here on February 26, 1887.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Cemetery
Mountain View is one of the oldest cemeteries in the area. Only Fraser Cemetery in New Westminster, which opened in 1870, is older. When Mountain View opened in 1886, it became Vancouver's main cemetery. Before this, people were buried in what is now Stanley Park.
The first part of the cemetery is called the "Old Section." It is bordered by Fraser Street to the east. To the south is 37th Avenue, and to the north is 33rd Avenue. Over the years, the cemetery grew bigger. In 1901, more land was added, called the "Horne I Addition." Later, in 1910, the "Jones I and Jones II Additions" were created. Another piece of land was added in 1922.
The "1919 Addition" holds many people who passed away during the Spanish flu. This flu was a worldwide sickness that took many lives. The last part added was the "Abray Park Addition" in 1941. It was named after Nonus Abray, who used to live there.
Historically, burial sites were often grouped together. This was sometimes based on religion, like for Jewish people. Other times, it was based on nationality, such as for Chinese or Japanese people. Some groups were also for organizations like Freemasons. There are also sections for war veterans.
Honoring Canadian Military Members
In 1983, a special memorial was put up. It has three tall granite stones. This memorial honors all Canadian military members who have passed away. The cemetery also has more than 12,000 graves for Canadian military members.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission looks after the graves of 579 service people from the Commonwealth. These include 319 from World War I and 260 from World War II. The graves from World War I are in a special "Soldiers' Plot." Those from World War II are in a "Veterans' Plot" or spread throughout the cemetery. Many of the airmen buried here served at the Royal Canadian Air Force base on Sea Island. Many sailors were from the HMCS Discovery naval station.
In 2005, the cemetery began some big upgrades. New buildings were designed, including an administration office and a memorial service building. The "Celebration Hall" was also built. This hall is now a popular place for cultural events in the city.
Mountain View has been one of the few cemeteries in North America to allow two family members to share the same grave. Since 2020, the city council expanded this idea. Now, people can share their grave, or a loved one's grave, with up to three non-family members. This option is only for new graves. It helps reduce the environmental impact of burials. It can also be cheaper, as the cost of the plot is shared. People choosing this option are buried one on top of another. They must agree to be buried in an environmentally friendly way, like using a shroud or a special container that breaks down easily.
People Remembered at Mountain View
Many interesting people are buried or remembered at Mountain View Cemetery. Some were involved in big historical events. Others were important figures in Vancouver's history.
Victims of Major Disasters
- SS Princess Sophia (1918): Sixty-six of the 353 people who died when this ship sank are buried here. This was the worst ship disaster on the Pacific Coast of North America.
- Rogers Pass Slide (1910): Thirty of the 62 victims from this terrible landslide are buried at Mountain View.
- Lakeview BCER Streetcar Wreck (1909): This was Vancouver's worst transit accident. Twelve of the 15 people who died are buried here.
Notable Individuals Buried Here
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- Malcolm Alexander MacLean: He was Vancouver's very first Mayor, serving from 1886 to 1887.
- Alexander McLeod: He was the lighthouse keeper at Stanley Park's Brockton Point. He was also in charge of firing the famous 9 O'Clock Gun.
- Harry Churchill Beet: He received the Victoria Cross, a very brave award, for his actions during the Second Boer War.
- William Carey Ditmars: This businessman brought the first car to Vancouver.
- Joe Fortes: Known as "Old Black Joe," he was a very popular lifeguard in Vancouver.
- Eric Hamber: He served as the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1936 to 1941.
- Harry Jerome: An amazing Olympic runner from Canada.
- John Chipman Kerr: Another recipient of the Victoria Cross.
- Thomas Ladner: He was the founder of the community of Ladner, British Columbia.
- Malcolm MacLennan: He was the Chief Constable (head) of the Vancouver Police. He died while on duty in 1917.
- Robert McBeath: He also received the Victoria Cross. He was a Vancouver police officer who died on duty in 1921.
- William McGuigan: He was the tenth Mayor of Vancouver.
- Sara Anne McLagan: She was the first woman in Canada to publish a newspaper.
- James Skitt Mathews: A well-known Vancouver historian and archivist.
- Robertha Josephine Marshall: She was a survivor of the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic.
- Yip Sang: A very important Chinese business leader. He started the Wing Sang Company in 1888. He also helped provide Chinese workers for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
- Sarah Emily Service: She was the mother of the famous poet Robert W. Service.
