Oakland Cemetery began in 1866 as the Yonkers Cemetery Association. with land originally donated by Frederik Philipse in 1750. The land was donated as a glebe (See “The Glebe” Historical Marker) apparently for use and benefit of the local parish and priest. The land changed hands a few times before it was finally named a cemetery.

The name was apparently  not changed changed to Oakland Cemetery until 1878 ..

Oakland Cemetery Front Gate undated

The first burial in Oakland Cemetery was recorded on September 2, 1867.

Today, a stroll through the cemetery’s 51 beautifully landscaped acres stirs memorable thoughts as the headstones of Oakland Cemetery chronicle not only the history of Yonkers but of our Country as well. – From Oakland Cemetery Website

Inside Oakland Cemetery you will find St Johns Cemetery, a small section with its own wooden front gate off of Saw Mill River Rd. . There doesn’t appear to be a discernible boundary between St John’s and Oakland inside the cemetery, from what I have seen.

Oakland Cemetery Front Gate 2018

St. John’s Cemetery Gate in Yonkers

A  New York State Historic Marker (state education department) , dated 1936,  reads ” St. John’s  first public burial ground in Yonkers -About 1783.  Graves of Soldiers of Revolution and later wars ; also settlers of Yonkers.

St. John’s Cemetery Historic Marker 2018