The City of Oshawa and Heritage Oshawa unveiled a plaque today at the Pioneer Memorial Garden Cemetery in recognition of its cultural heritage significance and because it reflects the early history of the City of Oshawa. At one time known as “God’s Acre”, the cemetery holds the memorials of some of the city’s earliest pioneer families including some prominent residents.
“The Pioneer Memorial Garden Cemetery is a significant historical record for the city as it holds the memorials of some of Oshawa’s earliest pioneer families,” said Mayor John Henry. “It is important that we honour and recognize them because their hard work and dedication to our community is what made Oshawa the place that is it today.”
Today, the Pioneer Memorial Garden Cemetery displays the remnants of 130 gravestones that have been arranged on cement pillars in the shape of a six-pointed star, located in the centre of the property, bearing a memorial plaque. Although many of the stones date prior to 1850, the cemetery contains one of the earliest gravestones, hand carved with no motifs, containing only the name Richard Adams and his date of death: July 17, 1817.
“It is necessary that Heritage Oshawa and City Council continue to work together to recognize historically significant locations throughout our great city,” said Councillor John Aker, Chair of Development Services Committee. “As Oshawa grows and changes it is essential that we remember and preserve the early history of the city.”
Dates on the gravestones suggest that the cemetery land was in use as a burial ground between approximately 1816 and 1906. The gravestones provide the settlement, birth and death patterns, and family histories of the early inhabitants of the City of Oshawa as well as being an expression of a form of art and culture reflective of this period of time.
“Heritage Oshawa recommended to Council to designate the Pioneer Memorial Garden Cemetery under the Ontario Heritage Act because the people buried here are responsible for building this community and deserve lasting recognition,” said Diane Stephen, Chair of Heritage Oshawa.
The chronology of the cemetery’s ownership demonstrates the evolution of some of the church congregations within the city from the Wesleyan Methodist Church through to the Simcoe Street United Church. Additionally, the Pioneer Memorial Garden Cemetery serves as an example of how a community came together to save an important historical monument in honour of Oshawa’s early pioneers.
Pioneer Memorial Garden Cemetery is located at 185 – 201 Bond Street West, on the south side of Bond Street West, across from Arena Street.
