As renovations continue at the Pioneer Cemetery in the Dublin Heritage Park, the City is now offering residents the opportunity to honor loved ones with commemorative tree plaques and pavers, as well as new benches and boulders to hold one's cremains.
Work began on the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery in early June. The cemetery was established in 1859 after one of Dublin’s early settlers, Tom Donlon, fell from the roof of Old St. Raymond Church during construction. Donlon later succumbed to his injuries and he was buried on the grounds. The cemetery provides a wonderful glimpse at the history of Dublin's early settlers. Names that are recognizable in Dublin – Donlon, Dougherty, Fallon, Green, Kolb, Murray, and others – are scattered throughout the property.
While the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery is currently an active cemetery, there are no plots available for purchase, which has disappointed many longtime Dublin residents. With the renovation of the cemetery, residents will have the opportunity to memorialize loved ones with a monument in their honor. The main path through the cemetery is Hawthorn Way and will be lined with newly planted hawthorn trees. Granite plaques mounted at the base of the trees may also be purchased, and a new entrance plaza, made up of memorial pavers, is also part of the renovation. Pavers of varying sizes that can be engraved are also available for purchase. Additionally, new benches and boulders will be installed, which can hold the cremains of loved ones. Those interested in the memorial program can find more information at https://dublin.ca.gov/2274/Pioneer-Cemetery or email HeritagePark@dublin.ca.gov.