Guam Historic Properties Inventory (GHPI) Data Form: Old Agat Cemetery

Craft, Cacilie

A Guam Historic Properties Inventory Data Form for the Old Agat Cemetery Description: "The Old Agat Cemetery was established in 1946 and encompasses approximately 0.3 acres adjacent to the Agat shoreline on the west side of Route 2, approximately one mile north of Mount Carmel Cemetery. Based on the earliest legibly dated headstones, the Old Agat Cemetery was established at least as early 1889, although the dates are not discernible on many of the grave markers. The most recent interment was in 1997, making for a total of 43 graves in the cemetery. Most of the grave markers consist of square carved-stone slabs topped with a Christian cross, although some are vertical-arched types. Most are painted white. In some cases, the names of the deceased and birth and death dates are painted in black on the crosses, probably because the carved information is now unreadable. The Old Agat Cemetery is unlike the Mount Carmel Cemetery in that its interments are directly in the ground. At Mount Carmel, many of the graves are stacked above ground. According to an email communication with the current mayor of Agat, Carole Tayama, the cemetery contains the remains of residents from Agat who were slaughtered by Japanese troops during the Fena Caves Massacre in World War II. A memorial service for the event is held at the Old Agat Cemetery each year. One of the grave markers is for Vicente Munoz Borja who died on July 21, 1944 during the massacre. According to former Agat Mayor Tony Babauta, the cemetery also contains the remains of residents from Agat who died during the forced internment of Chamorro civilians at Manenggon Concentration Camp in Yona. Babauta indicated that the largest grave marker near the center of the cemetery contains a mass burial of these remains." Statement of Significance: "The Old Agat Cemetery is associated with important World War II events, namely the Fena Caves Massacre and internment of Chamorro civilians at Manenggon Concentration Camp. It also represents a traditional cemetery that provided an important link for Chamorro families in Agat to their early twentieth-century ancestors. Although cemeteries are generally not considered for NRHP eligibility, the Old Agat Cemetery clearly meets the requirements of National Register Criteria Consideration D for its association with historic events. According to NPS guidance, cemeteries may be eligible if associated with historic events including specific important events or general events that illustrate broad patterns. The Old Agat Cemetery's direct association with Fena Caves Massacre and the internment of Chamorro civilians at Manenggon Concentration Camp, two very pivotal events in local and regional, gives it significance under National Register Criteria Consideration D." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Guam Historic Preservation Office, Guam Department of Parks and Recreation, administered by the Pacific West Regional Office, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior (grant number 66-13-51960).

Guam Historic Properties Inventory (GHPI) Data Form: Old Agat Cemetery

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