Cemeteries in Hayward (City)

Hayward, California, located along the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay in Alameda County, traces its name to William Hayward, a New England native who established a hotel and general store in the area during the 1850s. Before that, the land was part of Rancho San Lorenzo, a Mexican land grant awarded to Guillermo Castro in 1841. Under Spanish and later Mexican rule, the region was primarily used for cattle ranching.

After California became part of the United States, European American settlers arrived, joined by Portuguese and Italian immigrants who contributed to the area's agricultural development. Hayward grew steadily through the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming a hub for agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. The city was officially incorporated in 1876. Cemeteries such as Chapel of the Chimes and Mount Eden Cemetery have long served the community’s residents and reflect the city’s deep and diverse heritage.