Cemeteries in California (State)

California, originally inhabited by numerous Native American tribes, became a Spanish territory in 1542 following Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's exploration. The region was initially called Alta California and remained under Spanish control until Mexican independence in 1821. American settlers began arriving in the 1840s, leading to the Bear Flag Revolt and eventual U.S. acquisition through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill sparked the California Gold Rush, drawing immigrants from around the world, particularly Chinese laborers and settlers from the eastern United States. California achieved statehood in 1850 as a free state. The state experienced waves of immigration, including Spanish, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, and European settlers who established diverse communities. Historic burial grounds across the state reflect this cultural diversity, from the early Spanish mission cemeteries to Gold Rush-era burial grounds and modern memorial parks.