The Best Last Place: A History Of The Santa Barbara Cemetery

by David Petry

The Santa Barbara Cemetery started out as a small town cemetery of just five acres on the edge of town. Lot-owners did what they pleased with their lots. Then two men, Lafayette Young and Captain Charles P. Low, were elected to the cemetery board, and history changed course. This book is the story of how this cemetery evolved in response to rapidly changing social expectations. The Santa Barbara Cemetery is one of the few historic cemeteries that has successfully changed over time by repeatedly transforming grounds, policies, and staff. Today, the Santa Barbara Cemetery is a gem among cemeteries, chosen as a final resting place by many individuals who have never lived in Santa Barbara. No other cemetery can match the location, or the natural beauty of the Santa Barbara Cemetery--truly the last best place. By David Petry. 2006 Olympus Press.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Arthur Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intend to be buried in Santa Barbara Cemetery? This is a must read.