Sunnyside History

Originally called The Sunnyside Cemetery Association when it was founded in 1908, Sunnyside Cemetery is currently overseen by a Board of Trustees as part of the Merquin Cemetery District. It operates as a special District of Merced County under the County Supervisor for the Stevinson area, and is proud to help assist the residents of the community with providing a final resting place for their loved ones.

The first recorded burial was in 1908, the same year Sunnyside Cemetery opened.  The land was donated by Howard H. Hogin, a son-in-law of Colonel Samuel Stevinson.  Interestingly the title of “Colonel” was a nickname, not an actual position in any branch of the military.  Colonel Stevinson served unofficially in the Mexican War and was given the moniker thereafter. While the first burial was in 1908, after an unfortunate accident that resulted in a brush fire, the oldest burial marker still in place is dated 1911.