Self-Guided Visit
Self-guided historic cemetery visit
Walk the grounds of one of southern Alameda County's oldest cemeteries, including the graves of Hayward-area pioneers and city founder William Hayward.
- Duration:
- 45 min
Cemetery / Burial Ground
Lone Tree Cemetery
A historic Hayward cemetery founded around 1868, resting place of city founder William Hayward, tied to the 150-year-old 'Legend of Lone Tree' about murdered lovers found beneath a lone oak — and a longtime magnet for local ghost hunters.
24591 Fairview Ave, Hayward, CA 94542
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 4 sources
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Active public cemetery; free to visit during posted daytime hours. The Hayward Area Historical Society periodically offers paid history walking tours.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Rolling cemetery grounds on a hillside with paved drives and grassy, sloped sections.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1868 · One of the oldest cemeteries in southern Alameda County (est. c. 1868–1870) · Burial place of Hayward founder William Hayward and many area pioneers · Host of the area's oldest continuous Memorial Day observance since 1903 · Namesake of the long-recorded 'Legend of Lone Tree'
Lone Tree Cemetery sits in the hills of Hayward at 24591 Fairview Avenue. It was established in the late 1860s — sources cite both 1868 and an official 1870 founding — and grew into one of the principal pioneer cemeteries of southern Alameda County. Among those buried there is William Hayward, the Gold Rush–era settler whose hotel and townsite gave the city its name.
Since 1903 the cemetery has hosted what is described as the oldest continuous Memorial Day celebration in southern Alameda County, underscoring its role as a community landmark rather than merely a burial ground. The Hayward Area Historical Society periodically leads 'Walk Through History' tours of the grounds, interpreting the lives of the pioneers interred there.
The cemetery's name derives from the 'Legend of Lone Tree,' a story recorded in local history books and newspaper clippings for roughly 150 years. The tale describes a gruesome killing at the foot of a solitary oak in the hills, set in the era before California statehood. As historians at KQED and the Hayward Area Historical Society note, the legend exists in conflicting versions — some placing the events in the late 1700s, others in the 1830s — and key details, such as the involvement of rancho owner Don Guillermo Castro (who did not arrive in the area until about 1839), do not align across tellings, making the literal truth of the story doubtful even as the folklore endures.
The cemetery remains active today, offering burial, cremation and funeral services, and is open to the public during daytime hours.
Sources
- https://www.kqed.org/news/11964156/the-legend-of-lone-tree-connects-us-to-haywards-history
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=152981
- https://lonetreecemetery.com/
- https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/8129/lone-tree-cemetery
Faces seen in the bushesUnexplained whispering and thumpingObjects moved from headstonesFlashing lights and chiming bellsShadow figures in the distanceOrbs in photographs
The defining legend here is older than the cemetery itself. As told in local history books and newspaper clippings for roughly 150 years, a pair of young lovers were murdered at the foot of a lone oak tree in the Hayward hills in the era before the Gold Rush; in one version the rancho owner sent vaqueros who found the couple lying side by side, shot dead beneath the tree (according to KQED and the Hayward Area Historical Society's historical marker). Historians caution that the dates and details vary so much between versions that the story should be read as folklore rather than documented history.
Layered atop that founding legend is the cemetery's modern haunted reputation. KQED reports that 'many local paranormal investigators claim that the cemetery is haunted.' Visitor and investigator accounts describe faces seen in the bushes, unexplained whispering and thumping, objects moved from headstones to odd places, flashing lights, chiming bells, drifting shadow figures and orbs that appear in photographs (according to KQED and Shadowlands/HauntedPlaces.org submissions).
HauntBound presents the ghost phenomena as anecdotal local lore. The Legend of Lone Tree, however, is a genuinely documented piece of Hayward folklore with a century and a half of written record — even if, as the historians themselves stress, its factual basis is uncertain.
Notable Entities
The murdered lovers of the Lone Tree legend
Plan Your Visit
2 ways to experience Guided Tour Booking Required
Hayward Area Historical Society walking tour
When offered, the Hayward Area Historical Society leads 'Walk Through History' tours of Lone Tree Cemetery, telling the stories of the people buried there and the Legend of Lone Tree.
- Duration:
- 1.5 hr
Sources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lone Tree Cemetery family-friendly?
A peaceful, historic, daytime-only cemetery suitable for respectful family history visits. The murder legend and ghost lore are mild; remember it is an active burial ground, so visit quietly and during posted hours. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Lone Tree Cemetery?
Active public cemetery; free to visit during posted daytime hours. The Hayward Area Historical Society periodically offers paid history walking tours. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Lone Tree Cemetery wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Lone Tree Cemetery is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Rolling cemetery grounds on a hillside with paved drives and grassy, sloped sections..