A bell tower at Sylvan Cemetery was built in 2012. // Image credit, Cemetery360
Sentinel staff report–
Christmas carols can be heard playing from the bell tower at Sylvan Cemetery this season.
In a news release, the cemetery said the bells can be heard at the top and bottom of every hour, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., through Christmas Day.
The cemetery’s bell tower, located at 7401 Auburn Blvd., was constructed a decade ago in honor the cemetery’s 150th anniversary. The tower’s existence is credited to two fomer board members, John Seekins and Jean Duncan, with the cemetery saying the bell tower “would not have been possible without either of them.”
The cemetery district said carols are being played in honor of the two late board members.
“We know it makes them proud to hear the bells ring. And we hope it helps to bring a little Christmas cheer to your day,” the district said.
By Mike Hazlip—
September marks 160 years since the first burial took place at Sylvan Cemetery on Sept. 4, 1862, hailing back to a time when early settlers were establishing farms in the area.
“It’s something people have to think about when you establish a new community,” said cemetery chairman Jim Monteton. “Two things that they needed: they needed a cemetery and they needed a school house.”
Those early families planned to stay in the area long-term, he said, and had the forethought to set aside land for a cemetery. Monteton’s book “Sylvan Cemetery, A Living History” records the stories of many of those early settlers laid to rest there.
The first burial 160 years ago was a man from Tennessee named James Horton who worked as a farm hand. Horton worked for the Cross family until an unknown illness caused him to lose his eyesight.
Unable to continue working, Horton drank poison to end his life, Monteton said. The Cross family donated the land for a grave site in what was then known as Sylvan District.
The family donated more land over the years, eventually expanding into what is now Sylvan Cemetery in the incorporated City of Citrus Heights. Horton’s grave site can still be seen in the old district of the cemetery.
Following the first burial, more grave markers appeared over the years, and by the end of the decade, Civil War soldiers began to move west to escape what Monteton calls “the smell of war.” There are nine Civil War soldiers buried at Sylvan Cemetery, and the organization has worked to restore those grave markers that are nothing more than a metal pipe embedded into the ground with a metal name plate on top.
About 1,400 veterans from all wars are buried at the cemetery, Monteton says. He said more service members are opting for a free burial as more national cemeteries open up, although Sylvan Cemetery still offers a free headstone to veterans.
Jim Monteton stands next to the grave marker for James Horton, the first person buried at Sylvan Cemetery. // M. Hazlip
In addition to veterans, Monteton said the cemetery is the final resting place for all types of people.
“We try to keep the cemetery a place for people to come to to remember,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of people in the neighborhood who have moved here, and different ethnic groups have moved to town. So it has grown.”
While the organization keeps records of those laid to rest on its grounds, Monteton says some graves leave lingering questions.
“There was a book written one time that says that your life is in the dash,” he said. “That’s the dash between your birth date and death date. Everything you did, everything you enjoyed is all right there on that little short piece of line.”
Monteton recalled a woman who has a Raider helmet cut into her headstone, a husband and wife buried together but only the wife has a headstone, and a six-month-old baby who died during the Great Depression.
“There’s one out there that I always find is the saddest because they died during the Depression and she was only, I think she was about six months old,” he said describing the troubles the family might have had.
The cemetery is a way to preserve the stories of past generations for Monteton, who says he finds consolation in the idea that these people will be remembered by their community.
“It’s sad, but at the same time, it’s part of life, it’s part of the community,” he said. “And I don’t know, I just like the idea that somebody will remember some of these people.”
General Manager Cyndi Price stands with grave sites in the background at Sylvan Cemetery. // M. Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip—
Running a cemetery might not have been the career Cyndi Price dreamed off, but as Sylvan Cemetery’s general manager, she says the job is rewarding.
The 51-year-old mother of four started working at the cemetery in 2008 after the former manager, Ron Clark, hired her. Clark retired in 2019, after four decades of managing the cemetery, and Price officially became the general manager after a few years as acting manager, she said.
“Had a little bit of time under my belt before becoming manager,” Price said. “We knew it was going to happen, he knew he was going to retire at 63.”
Although Price doesn’t expect to be at the cemetery quite as long as her predecessor, she says she enjoys helping families.
“I love it, I do love it,” she says. “It’s just really a way to help people and to help them during their time of grieving. It’s very rewarding.”
Sylvan Cemetery is located at 7401 Auburn Blvd. in Citrus Heights and is a district cemetery partially funded by property taxes. Any residents of Citrus Heights and surrounding areas are eligible for a burial plot at a fraction of the cost of a private cemetery, Price said.
One challenge is that with little room to grow and a record number of burials this year, Price says Sylvan Cemetery might have a little more than 10 years before all the plots are either sold or occupied. She is currently working on developing a site near the back of the cemetery, and has already completed a niche bank with 390 spaces for urns.
Although COVID deaths have been part of the increase, Price says most deaths are the Baby Boomer generation. Now in their 70s, the generation born after WWII accounts for the majority of burials at the cemetery.
Another challenge is keeping the water bill low, while meeting the expectations of family members who come to visit the grave sites of loved ones.
Now in her 13th year at the cemetery, Price says she is not superstitious, but some of the visitors to the cemetery are. While some may think her career is morbid, Price sees it as an opportunity to show love to others during their time of need.
“I consider it an honor to be able to help people. We’ve got all faiths come in here. You know you’re helping, and you’re being a little bit of peace and comfort.”
“Whole families only get together at weddings or funerals,” she said. “We get to witness a lot of times families being reunited, for a sad occasion, but they’re just loving on each other and comforting each other. It’s neat to watch and be a part of that.”
A view of a portion of Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights. // Image courtesy, Jim Monteton
Guest opinion column by Jim Monteton–
From 1862 to 1974, land was donated by different families to provide for a cemetery in Sylvan – later called Citrus Heights. The property has grown from half an acre to over 19 acres.
By 1926 the county had changed the ‘Cemetery’ into the Sylvan Cemetery District, one of three Independent Special Districts in Sacramento County. Each special district is responsible for its management and operation, governed by a Board of Trustee that are appointed by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.
Looking at the present usage rate of the land that is Sylvan Cemetery, it is estimated that the cemetery will still be in operation for 10 to 15 more years. After that, it will be simply a maintained closed cemetery.
Families in Citrus Heights go back to the 1850’s. Many families still wish to have Sylvan Cemetery available as a final resting place. Unfortunately, the 19 acres will be used up quickly and many will have to make other plans.
There is a solution.
With the closing of Sylvan Middle School and the projected sale of the land, Sylvan Cemetery has hoped to be considered in the division of that 13-acre property. The cemetery does not need all the school property, just a few acres. In fact, with the southern boundary of the cemetery being adjacent to the school property, it would only require a redrawing of the property line for the school property and the cemetery.
As in the past, Sylvan Cemetery would hope that the final property owner could see its way to donating the space needed to maintain the cemetery for at least another 30 years.
Jim Monteton is the chairman of the Sylvan Cemetery Board of Trustees. Guest opinion columns and letters to the editor can be submitted online for publication at the following link: citrusheightssentinel.com/submit-news
Updated Nov. 14, 2:08 p.m.–
Want to know what happened in town the past week? From a local Veterans Day march and ceremony, to an update on efforts to curb prostitution at Citrus Heights massage parlors — here’s a quick summary:
Police: Over 70 citations issued in 4-hour traffic operation About a dozen motorcycle officers from around the Sacramento region teamed up with the Citrus Heights Police Department’s traffic unit Tuesday, issuing more than 70 citations in four hours, according to CHPD Lt. Ryan Kinnan. The “Regional Traffic Enforcement Day” was scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, with officers targeting areas of higher safety concern, including the construction zone along Sunrise Boulevard near Antelope Road. Kinnan said common violations included speeding and distracted driving. Police said the enforcement day is part of a regional effort that focuses on a different part of the greater-Sacramento area each month.
Veterans honored at Citrus Heights ceremony, march About 150 community members, veterans, and City leaders gathered for a Veterans Day ceremony and solemn march at Sylvan Cemetery Wednesday, expressing appreciation for those who’ve served in America’s armed forces. The hour-long ceremony featured patriotic and military melodies from the Folsom Express men’s choir, and speeches from various veterans and dignitaries who praised military men and women for their optimism, service, and sacrifice. (See full story and slideshow)
Metro Fire: Sunrise Mall temporarily evacuated after fire Sunrise Mall was evacuated for about 30 minutes on Thursday due to a small bathroom fan fire in the service area, according to Metro Fire’s official Twitter account. The fire was contained to a small area behind one of the Mall’s restaurants, and was reopened by about 1:30 p.m. A monthly board meeting of Sunrise Marketplace directors was also disrupted due to the evacuation, according to a report by councilmember Jeannie Bruins at Thursday’s city council meeting. Fire officials estimated the damage to be around $5,000. (See photo below)
City council extends ban on new massage permits, citing continued prostitution concerns Citrus Heights council members unanimously voted Thursday night to approve a one-year extension on a 2014 interim ordinance barring issuance of new massage permits, with police reporting nine massage parlors in the city have had their licenses revoked over the past year for prostitution activity. Several council members questioned whether an additional year was necessary and reasonable for the city’s law-abiding massage parlors, as the moratorium also bars existing massage businesses from expanding. City Attorney Ruthanne Ziegler clarified to council members that the ban would be for “up to a year,” as the council has discretion to lift the ban at an earlier date. She advised approval of the full year, in light of state law only allowing for the existing “urgency measure” to be extended for a maximum of one year, with no opportunity for further extension.
The temporary ordinance was first enacted in December of last year, following police sting operations uncovering prostitution at several local establishments. City staff said the temporary ban is still needed to protect “health, welfare and safety,” while a comprehensive new ordinance is crafted in accordance with a new massage-related law, AB 1146. A March meeting has also been scheduled to gather input and feedback from business owners and community members about the new ordinance. (For context, see initial story)
[Want to follow what’s going on in Citrus Heights? Click here to sign up for The Sentinel’s free Weekend Edition, and get our top local news stories delivered to your inbox once a week.]
Sunrise Mall reportedly sold to new owner; redevelopment likely The 1.1 million-square foot Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights sold to a New York real estate group this week, according to The Sacramento Bee. Although no official statement was posted on the Mall’s web site, contact information on the site reflected the Spinoso Real Estate Group’s new ownership of the property. The ownership change is anticipated to bring major changes to the Mall, but specific plans are largely speculative, as new owners could not be reached for comment by various news outlets.
Image of fire damage at Sunrise Mall, Thursday. Source, Metro Fire.
A four-member police “Honor Guard” leads a march around the “Avenue of Flags” at Sylvan Cemetery, during the 2015 Citrus Heights Veterans Day event. // Photo, Dorina Choban
Updated Nov. 12, 11:43 a.m.–
Veterans, City leaders, and community members gathered for a Veterans Day ceremony and solemn march at Sylvan Cemetery Wednesday, expressing appreciation for those who’ve served in America’s armed forces.
The hour-long event began with a 10:30 a.m. march around the cemetery’s “Avenue of Flags,” led by a pair of Citrus Heights police motorcycles and four-member “Honor Guard,” followed by the local Boy Scouts Troop 228, and others. Marchers proceeded along the avenue, with stops for commemoration, reading of passages from the Bible, and prayer from Chaplain Jerry Smith of the American Legion Post 637.
Marchers were greeted with sounds of “The Star Spangled Banner” being sung by the Folsom Harmony Express men’s choir, as the march concluded with a timely 11 a.m. ceremony under the cemetery’s central gazebo.
“On this day, on this month, at this hour, our nation remembers the moment when the guns of WWI went silent, and we recognize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans,” American Legion Commander Paul Reyes told the group of about 150 attendees — his comment referring to the 1918 formal close of the first world war on the 11th day, of the 11th month, on the 11th hour, resulting in the date now recognized as Veterans Day.
Commander Reyes praised veterans as “our finest citizens,” and his fellow Legionnaire Jim Monteton highlighted the optimism of veterans, beginning 239 years ago when America’s “rag-tag” forces stood up to powerful British forces, and won.
[Additional photos: see slideshow below]
Sharing highlights from history and appreciation for veterans, other speakers at the ceremony included Citrus Heights Police Chief Christopher Boyd, County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan, and Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost.
“Veterans and their families have sacrificed themselves to preserve what we Americans cherish – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Mayor Frost told those assembled. “We are grateful for it, we won’t forget it, and we thank you.”
Wednesday’s ceremony concluded with the reading of Psalm 91, a rifle salute from the local chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the playing of taps.
Michael Hemsworth stands inside the newly rebranded Newsongs Lafitte Music Center in Citrus Heights. // M. Hazlip
Nearly 200 veterans, family members and community leaders took part in a ceremony and solemn march around Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights Tuesday, honoring the lives of those who fought on behalf of their county.
Jerry Smith, of American Legion Citrus Heights Post 637, walks past Honor Guards during the Veterans Day event.
“Our vets, they basically give away their time and life so that we can have our way of life at home,” said Citrus Heights Vice Mayor Sue Frost afterwards, attending the event along with four fellow council members. “So in Citrus Heights, we consider them our treasure.”
Tuesday’s event began with an eight-man Honor Guard from the Citrus Heights Police Department leading a march around the cemetery’s flag-lined road known as the Avenue of Flags, with stops for commemoration and prayer from Jerry Smith of the American Legion Citrus Heights Post 637.
“Real heroes don’t wear capes; they wear dog tags,” said Paul Reyes of Post 637, during an opening speech after the morning march. He was followed by some tunes from the Harmony Express men’s chorus, as well as a quick word from Citrus Heights Mayor Mel Turner about honoring and thanking veterans.
A speech by Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan promised to make information about the County’s veterans benefits easier to access online, and sought to draw a connection between Election Day last Tuesday and Veterans Day this Tuesday.
“Having a free election is one of the freedoms that our veterans fought to protect and one that we hold dear,” said MacGlashan. “So once again I want to thank you for your service.”
The hour-and-a-half long annual event was put on by the local post of American Legion, which also hosts a Memorial Day ceremony each year. (Read prior story here)
Veterans Day’s history traces back to Armistice Day, which marked the close of the first world war in 1918 on the 11th day of the 11th month on the 11th hour — resulting in the November 11 date we remember today.
Painting, Washington at Verplancks Point, by John Trumbull. // Public domain.
