Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommends landmarking City Cemetery at Lincoln Park

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday unanimously voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors designate City Cemetery at Lincoln Park as a historic landmark.

Staff planner Carrie Hervey Lentz told the commission the nomination was initiated by Supervisor Connie Chan in April 2021 and that the site meets multiple landmark criteria, including its role in significant events, surviving funerary design elements and archaeological research potential. "The department recommends that HPC approve the recommendation for landmark designation of City Cemetery," Carrie said during the presentation.

Located in the northwest corner of the city in the Outer Richmond neighborhood and owned by Recreation and Parks, the site was used as a municipal cemetery beginning in 1868 and was reclassified as parkland in 1909. Staff reported that historical records indicate more than 29,000 burials at City Cemetery between 1870 and 1898 and noted that archaeological investigations have previously revealed human remains; staff also said more than 6,300 Chinese people were disinterred from the site between 1870 and the 1890s.

Supervisor Connie Chan, who sponsored the nomination, described the designation as meaningful to San Francisco's immigrant communities and urged the commission to honor the site's history while respecting current recreational uses. "It is particularly meaningful that this landmark designation is being considered today," Chan said, citing the site's importance to Chinese family associations that rediscovered and memorialized the place.

Representatives of San Francisco Heritage and local benevolent societies urged approval during public comment. "San Francisco Heritage has been delighted and honored to be part of this process from the beginning and we strongly support this landmark designation," Woody Labounty said. At the same time, Richard Harris of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance asked staff to clarify an inconsistency between the draft resolution and ordinance language, noting his reading that "the language of the resolution that you have says the entire parcel. It doesn't say a portion of." Staff responded that the nomination as presented applies to the majority of assessor parcel 1313, lot 29, and that a small portion of the current parcel falls outside the historic cemetery boundary; staff said maps and refined language can address the discrepancy.

Jordan Harrison of the Recreation and Parks Department said the agency supports a designation that "ensures we will not forget about the fundamental contributions of immigrants and other marginalized communities" and added that Rec & Park expects to continue operating the golf course while coordinating preservation guidance and archaeological review for projects that disturb the ground.

After questions and discussion about excavation protocols, outreach to descendant groups and the relationship of City Cemetery to other historic cemeteries in San Francisco, a motion to forward the commission's recommendation to the Board of Supervisors carried unanimously (7-0). Commissioners voting yes included Wright, Black, Foley, Johns, So, Nagas Warren and President Matsuda.

The commission's recommendation and any staff revisions to the nomination materials and boundary language will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for its consideration.