Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Review

In 1934, 8 of the 1,000 acres set aside for a military reserve in 1852 were designated as a burial site. About 97,000 people are now interred here; it's impressive to see the rows upon rows of white headstones that overlook both sides of Point Loma just north of the Cabrillo National Monument. Some of those laid to rest at this place were killed in battles that predate California's statehood; the graves of the 17 soldiers and one civilian who died in the 1874 Battle of San Pasqual between troops from Mexico and the United States are marked by a large bronze plaque. Perhaps the most impressive structure in the cemetery is the 75-foot granite obelisk called the Bennington Monument, which commemorates the 66 crew members who died in a boiler explosion and fire onboard the USS Bennington in 1905. The cemetery, visited by many veterans, is still used for burials.