AfterGlow Vista Mausoleum

The AfterGlow Vista Mausoleum is located on San Juan Island, a 15-20 minute walk from Roche Harbor located here. The mausoleum was built by John S. McMillin as a memorial for his family and all things in which he believed. McMillin made his money in the late 19th century and early 20th century in lime and cement. Lime was used and still is in many common industrial processes and was obtained on the island by heating limestone.

McMillin was part of the Masonic Lodge, a Methodist and Republican and the mausoleum contains all sorts of symbols and saying reflecting beliefs contained in aforementioned belief systems. You will see a lot of the Masonic square and compass. One purposely unfinished column in the mausoleum symbolizes the “unfinished state of man’s work when the string of life is broken.” Heavy stuff. The mausoleum is worth a visit if not to walk among the tall trees in the wooded graveyard leading up to the mausoleum. A good itinerary is to visit the Westcott Sculpture Park and the mausoleum together as a morning or afternoon excursion.