Current research indicates that there are at least three cemeteries, many isolated burials and an Native American cemetery located on the Idria property. Available records indicate the names of more than 75 burials that occurred between 1904 and 1929, with one in 1893 and one in 1942. Seventeen burials occurred in 1918. Based on the fact that the New Idria Quicksilver Mine began operation around 1858 and that only one burial is recorded during the 1800s it is reasonable to believe that a large number of burials are unrecorded or missing.
Only a few markers remain, the cemetery has been badly vandalized. The
white marker in the foreground was stolen by a local resident and given to
friends in Tres Pinos.
Forgotten by their families and ignored by San Benito County officials, vandalism and grave robbery has destroyed most of the cemetery. A list of known burials at the Idria cemetery or a detailed report on the Theft and Destruction of Historic Resources at Idria, California are available from Three Rocks Research.
Share a story with us