[4] The cemetery was established in 1849 when Sacramento founder John Augustus Sutter, Jr. donated 10 acres (4.0 ha) to the city for this purpose.

The remainder 800 victims claimed by the epidemic were buried in the nearby New Helvetia Cemetery, also in mass graves.

[4] Several fraternal groups purchased sections for their members including the Masons (1859), Odd Fellows (1861) and the Sacramento Pioneers Association (1862).

The city set aside a section for volunteer firemen in 1858 and members of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1878.

[4] The City of Sacramento owns the cemetery, which today encompasses 44 acres (18 ha).