Long Beach Municipal Cemetery

The Long Beach Municipal Cemetery is located at the northwest corner of Willow Street and Orange Avenue. It was established as early as 1901 when William Willmore, the original developer of what became Long Beach was interred there. According to records, on July 10th, 1900 the City of Long Beach assumed the operation and maintenance of the three and two-thirds acres cemetery from the Long Beach Cemetery Association. The Cemetery was previously known as the Signal Hill Cemetery, and it is thought to have been established as a burial ground for Bixby Ranch employees. The management, upkeep and control of the Cemetery is the responsibility of the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. This includes manual watering of the grounds, tree maintenance, plant care, weeding, edging and mowing of the turf, raking of leaves, "righting" of headstones and debris removal. Along with the maintenance of the grounds, staff open and close graves.