| ANAHEIM'S FIRST CEMETERY |
Gotte's Acker (God's Acre) was the name given by early German colonists to the first cemetery of the Mother Colony.
In 1866, seven pioneers formed the Anaheim Cemetery Association. All but one were later buried there. Henry Kroeger, Frederick
Kuelp, Carl Rehm, H.E. Boldt, John P. Zeyn and Dr. John A.F. Heyermann have beautiful tombstones, markers and mausoleums
erected there. However, Theodore E. Schmidt is buried elsewhere.
Kuelp, Carl Rehm, H.E. Boldt, John P. Zeyn and Dr. John A.F. Heyermann have beautiful tombstones, markers and mausoleums
erected there. However, Theodore E. Schmidt is buried elsewhere.
East of Anaheim Street (located on Sycamore Street) five acres were cleared and leveled just in time for the burial of the stillborn
son of August and Petra Langenberger. His grave is not marked.
son of August and Petra Langenberger. His grave is not marked.
On September 7, 1867, Petra Ontiveros Langenberger died. She was mourned by the group gathered at her burial site, including the
first pioneers, August and the couples four children. A new farm wagon, (owned by Philip Hammes) with its side boards removed and
the bottom covered with beautiful flowers became a hearse.
first pioneers, August and the couples four children. A new farm wagon, (owned by Philip Hammes) with its side boards removed and
the bottom covered with beautiful flowers became a hearse.
With the passing of time, this grave lost it's wooden cross. In 1976, the Mother Colony Household obtained a marker for this first
pioneer. One should remember that she and August had been in Orange County years before the first pioneers came to Anaheim.
Without her father selling San Juan Cajon de Santa (Anaheim) to George Hansen and John Frohling there would be no Anaheim as
we know it.
pioneer. One should remember that she and August had been in Orange County years before the first pioneers came to Anaheim.
Without her father selling San Juan Cajon de Santa (Anaheim) to George Hansen and John Frohling there would be no Anaheim as
we know it.
...and now some dirt....(parents, shield your children's eyes)...
...Mr. Langenberger was enamored of Clementina Schmidt. He named a chunk of his land after her and then gave it to
her......however...
her......however...
...Clementina was married to Theodore E. Schmidt at the time... (Oprah, where are you when we need you)
... Mr. Schmidt (who owned a vineyard ringed with poplar trees that could be seen for miles) was at his wit's end. He ended up giving
his wife lots of land and bundles of money and moved to New York. His gift giving didn't work. His wife divorced him.
his wife lots of land and bundles of money and moved to New York. His gift giving didn't work. His wife divorced him.
Clementina and Langenberger later married and had twins (Mabel and Gus).
At the Anaheim Cemetery is a simple marker noting where Petra (who got the short end of the stick, so to speak) is buried. Four
feet south of this marker is a huge, stately edifice housing the bodies of Clementina and August. There are stained glass windows
and wrought iron gates graced with decorative grape clusters. Sort of the 19th century equivalent of "rubbing her nose in it".
feet south of this marker is a huge, stately edifice housing the bodies of Clementina and August. There are stained glass windows
and wrought iron gates graced with decorative grape clusters. Sort of the 19th century equivalent of "rubbing her nose in it".
| The cemetery is located at 1400 E. Sycamore Street. |
