Burials began at Lancaster Cemetery in the early to mid-1890s in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, California in Lancaster, a city located in the area known as the Antelope Valley. Burials took place on the property without the permission of the property owner, Benjamin Carter.

Lancaster Cemetery was officially founded in 1902 when Carter donated the land to Los Angeles County in trust for the citizens of Lancaster (Lancaster did not become a city until 1977). The original land was purchased by Carter for $5 per acre. The deal was made through Los Angeles first female real estate operator and developer, Alice J. Rutledge. She stipulated ten acres of Carters land be donated for a much-needed cemetery. In the end, County officials decided five acres would do. Previous to the official opening, at least nine people were buried on or near the site of the current cemetery, between 1892 - 1901.

At Lancaster Cemetery, the veterans of all wars and conflicts will never be forgotten. From the Confederate veteran, Morgan Price and Union veterans John D. Hoffman, Solomon Lapham, William H.H. Moxley, Homer Ware and James Madison West, through to the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, World War I and World War II, Korea, Vietnam and to the present day conflicts, our brave veterans will always be remembered and honored.

While walking through the beautiful, well-manicured grounds of the cemetery, you feel surrounded by history. Many of the founding families of the Antelope Valley are interred here.

Lancaster Cemetery is the final resting place for many Antelope Valley residents, but it also serves as a repository of the Valleys history. Viewing the markers in the cemetery will allow you to take a journey into our past and, we hope, emerge with a greater appreciation of our history and those who passed by here, if only for a short while.

Lancaster Cemetery is a fully operational cemetery. Your assistance in maintaining the dignity of the grounds is appreciated as you walk through the cemetery.