Pleasant Valley Historic Cemetery and Japanese Cemetery - Atlas Obscura
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Pleasant Valley Historic Cemetery and Japanese historic Cemetery

Oxnard, California

Two historic and closed cemeteries, separated by a low income apartment building. 

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Volunteers help clean the cemetery in 2012. anne 8e7a5e68 (Atlas Obscura User)
Grave of Toddler at the cemetery - 2024 Rededication Paul Mori (Public Domain)
Vandalized Grave Marker Victor Kato (Public Domain)
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Two side-by-side historic cemeteries. The Pleasant Valley Cemetery is abandoned with a few markers remaining and the perimeter of family plots still visible. Some markers have family last names but no named dead. The stones date from 1860 to 1960.

The Japanese Cemetery was mostly lost in overgrowth but has been cleared and some monuments relocated to accommodate a new apartment building. A sign says it is from 1908. Some stones are in both Japanese and English. The perimeter fence is locked.

According to the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board, the Japanese Cemetery was given to the Japanese community by the local Masonic Lodge at a time when California laws barred Asian immigrants from owning land in the state. The Pleasant Valley Cemetery was a Masonic burial ground—you can see the Masonic Square and Compass symbol on some of the gravestones within.

Know Before You Go

The historic Japanese cemetery is not open to the public. If you are interested in visiting, please do so but know that the gates are locked due to vandalism in the area. For more information about the historic Japanese cemetery, please email venturacountyjacl@gmail.com

immigration graveyards cemeteries
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