Historic Union Cemetery: Byron-Brentwood_Knightsen Cemetery District

EAST CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CALIFORNIA

Established in 1878, the Byron-Knightsen-Brentwood Union Cemetery provides a final resting place for early pioneers, farmers and entrepreneurs in the upper San Joaquin River Delta. First established at Point of Timber, Colburn Preston sold 4 acres to the new cemetery district. Burial service began immediately as 7 bodies were disinterred from the nearby Sylvester Wills property at Point of Timber for reburial at the new location. The cemetery’s most famous burial is that of pre-gold rush pioneer, Francis E. Wilder, nee Donner (1840-1921). She is one of only five surviving daughters of the George and Tamsen Donner Party to escape the Sierra Nevada tragedy of 1846-1847. Here you will find 19th Century gold miners, grain barons, educators, booster newspaper editors, and the first woman licensed as a mortician in California. History comes to life as you visit one of the oldest cemeteries in the California Delta.