Alhambra Cemetery, Potter's Field, Carquinez Scenic Drive, Martinez, Contra Costa County, CA

A 2016 HALS HEROES PROJECT. The Northern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) generously funds a program administered by the Northern California Chapter of the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) to promote the documentation of California's cultural landscapes. The program offers stipends of up to $1000 to qualified persons especially students and emerging professionals to prepare HALS documents.
Significance: A Potter's Field is a public burial place for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals. The Potter's Field at the Alhambra Cemetery is significant because the people who were buried there tell the story of those who were most often left out of history. They were Native American slaves to the Spanish. They were the early immigrants from Asia who did not have large communities to advocate for proper burial sites. They were Mexicans who taxed out of a life in the new California. It is important to recognize their presence, even if unknown, because it is a recognition of their role in the history of Martinez.
Survey number: HALS CA-127
Building/structure dates: 1830 Initial Construction