Cemetery Times, Yesterday and Today – Part 1

In April 2027 I will reach my fifth year as volunteer caretaker at the Verdugo Hills Cemetery. I take great pride in caring for the resting places of so many, high on a hill in Tujunga, including a good number of town pioneers. At the highest point is Pioneer Hill, which many Little Landers colonists chose as their eternal home. None as important perhaps as Parson James Wornom, for without him there would be no cemetery in Tujunga. I wasn’t around in April 1922 when the cemetery came into being, so the story continues with the words of Mabel Hatch, an early settler of the Crescenta Valley.

One of the most unforgettable characters of the valley’s early days was Parson James Wornom, “the old Parson” as the settlers affectionately called him. He was a big, raw-boned, blustering sort of man, sure of himself and his religion. He was not only sure of his religion but also filled with it. Living it, breathing it, singing it, preaching it – at all times and in all places – there was no time out from his religion, not for the old Parson. He was a great horse trader; he always had handsome, well-kept horses that were slick and strong. He and his wife “Aunt Jennie” often rode.

The Parson preached on Sundays but during the week the old man would lend a hand building a house or digging a cesspool. Never was a family in this valley in trouble – be it sickness, death, or taxes – that the old man was on hand with a prayer, a strong arm, a willing back or even a persuasive tongue if somebody had to be talked out of something.

The old Parson spoke with Marshall Hartranft, or Uncle Marsh as many called him, about donating some of his land for a cemetery. 

“I love these hills, Marsh,” the old man would say, “and I want to be buried in them.” 

Mr. Hartranft was always sympathetic but he was also very busy. He would agree to do it but he wouldn’t get about it.

This is the first half of the story of how the Verdugo Hills Cemetery came to be. In two weeks, I’ll conclude with what the old Parson did next to get his desires met. Now I’d like to share a bit of my philosophy about caring for the cemetery and its residents. I really enjoy bringing life to these hallowed grounds, and I can’t help but feel the residents might enjoy that too. I can tell you, I haven’t had a single complaint yet as caretaker, or as I like to call myself, Project Undertaker.

I’ve also spent a lot of time investigating the lives of many cemetery residents and I feel I’ve come to know them. So many interesting stories have emerged and I can’t help but want to share them. To bring some life into the Verdugo Hills Cemetery and to honor many of its residents I would like to invite you all to the upcoming event at VHC, Dine with the Dead, Walk for Life on Nov. 1 from noon until 5 p.m.

Both chefs from Tujunga Joselito’s and the Back Door Bakery have told me they’ve put together a tasty selection for this Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos remembrance celebration. In addition to great food, there will be photo opportunities, games and prizes and every half hour we’ll gather at a gravesite with an ofrenda, or altar, including a photograph and I’ll share that person’s story.

Bring some cash for food and games. Park on Terecita Road and make the short walk to VHC. Navigate to 10950 Terecita for parking. We suspect that our special Día de los Muertos dance show by Dani and her amazing performers will be the highlight, taking place at 2 p.m. 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. 

Please join us!