Ren's Did You Know ? - The History of Bellevue Memorial Park

Bellevue Memorial Park, Ontario’s only cemetery, was established in 1891 at Mountain and G Street on land owned by Charles Harwood. When Mr. Abraham Oakley passed away, the Oakley family buried Mr. Oakley at the cemetery in Pomona, as many other Ontarians had done previously; however, the Oakley family later decided that they wanted their loved one’s final resting plac...e to be in Ontario. So his remains were moved to the newly established cemetery, establishing its first burial plot. The cemetery was incorporated in 1892 with Charles Harwood, A. G. Kendall, brothers Herbert C. and John W. Oakley and their brother-in-law Isaac Garbutt as the first board of directors. When visiting Bellevue you will likely recognize many names associated with Ontario history, including Ontario founder George Chaffey and two of his three sons (Andrew and John Burton), Graber Olive House founder C. C. Graber, and Armstrong Nurseries founder John S. Armstrong. Many other local pioneers are interred at the cemetery. Pictured here is undertaker Ed Drew at Bellevue. Learn more about Ontario’s pioneers and Ontario history at Ontario Heritage’s annual Historic Cemetery Tour on October 11th at 10:15 AM. Enjoy actor portrayals of some of Ontario’s history making residents who have passed on and take a stroll along the cemetery’s grounds. Contact Ontario Heritage for more information.