Abandoned Cemetery: Our Lady of the Pillar (old section)

Our Lady of the Pillar (aka Nuestra Señora del Pillar Cemetery) is not completely abandoned, in comparison to so many other old cemeteries … It is made up of two distinct sections; the front (upon entrance) holds new internments and is still in active use. This portion is in excellent shape and appears to have a regular caretaker. But as one wanders farther back in exploration, a beautiful yet forgotten portion of this cemetery is uncovered which holds many early residents of Half Moon Bay. There is such a difference in condition of the front (new) and back (old) grounds that one would think it were two separate cemeteries. While I am unsure when Our Lady of the Pillar was opened, I know it became one of the main internments for Catholics after the closure of Pilarcitos Cemetery in 1923.

There is no regular caretaker for the older sections of this cemetery and as I understand it, the lawn and weeds are cleaned up 1-2 times per year (likely by a volunteer- the church is still active). It is overgrown with weeds and riddled with gopher holes, scattered garbage, broken bottles, and silk flowers that are filthy and years old. Many headstones and footstones are broken, have fallen face down (so that the names are not visible), and missing markers. Many headstones have been vandalized. The older section also contains a small area exclusively for baby graves as well as a potters field section; they are both up a hill which is difficult to navigate through due to overgrowth. Most graves in the PFS are unmarked though many were interned here between 1910-1950.

I stumbled across this cemetery while doing paternal genealogy research. My Father's side of the family migrated to Half Moon Bay/San Gregorio when it was known as "Spanish Town" (as many Puerto Rican families did at the time being that fieldwork was plentiful)and therefore I presumed many unknown ancestors would be laid to rest in HMB and it was in this cemetery so far I have found one so far-Joaquin Muniz. As you can see from the photo, his headstone appears to have been vandalized.