Almand Cemetery - Conyers, Georgia

Almand Cemetery, on Old Covington Rd just outside Conyers, has been the burial ground for Almands since the 1830's. While Almands and Almonds are prominent throughout the couple acre site, there are many other surnames on the headstones as well. As is common in 19th century cemeteries all over Georgia and the south, many Civil War veterans and casualties are buried here too.

Oak Grove Community Church - Brevard, NC

The Oak Grove Community Church in Brevard, North Carolina, is half way encircled by an old cemetery that certainly predates the current congregation. The church building itself probably goes back a ways too.

NYT: Art and History Among the Dead

The New York Times published a great piece on cemeteries this week: Art and History Among the Dead. Starting off with a brief history of the 150 year-old, 400 acre Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, it goes on to describe how historic cemeteries across the country are trying to capitalize on the public's interest in their history, art and architecture. I hope this interest continues and helps to protect these important cultural landscapes.

HerStories: The Women of South-View Cemetery

On March 23rd the Atlanta Preservation Center is giving a guided walking tour of Historic South-View Cemetery in Atlanta. Interred at South-View, founded in 1886 by formerly enslaved African Americans, are many famous women from Atlanta, including Jennie C. Williams, grandmother of Martin Luther King Jr.

Sardis Church and Cemetery - Atlanta, Georgia

In the heart of the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, soon to be on the National Register of Historic Places.

Metarie Cemetery, New Orleans

Developed in 1872, after the race track that sat on the site went bankrupt, Metairie probably has the largest and most elaborate collection of tombs and mausoleums in this city reknowned for its cemeteries.

 

San Francisco National Cemtery

Bay View

San Francisco National Cemetery is surely located in one of the most dramatic spots of any cemetery anywhere. Its 28+ acres are situated on a hilltop in the northern edge of the Presidio National Park, from which you have dramatic views of San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and the city itself.

This relatively small site contains the graves of 30,000 Americans, including over 100 Medal of Honor recipients. Many of the sailors and soldiers buried here were casualties of the battles in the Pacific during WW II.

Gilbert Memorial Cemetery - Atlanta, Georgia

Perhaps more people drive by this cemetery than any other in Atlanta, as it sits encircled by I-75 and the entrance and exit ramps for Cleveland Avenue. The Georgia DOT erected 53 headstones during construction of the interstate in the early 1980's. The original one-acre graveyard is believed to have held as many as 1000 gravesites of African-Americans dating back to 1861. This graveyard was destroyed in the 50's and rediscovered during construction. The current site is a memorial to that cemetery.

Gilbert Memorial Cemetery

Gilbert Memorial Cemetery

Lafayette Cemetery No. 2 - New Orleans

There are no new plots in New Orleans' oldest cemeteries, so the only way to get in is to buy one from another family. Unlike its older sibling, No. 1, Lafayette No. 2 is in terrible shape, but apparently there is still a secondary market in gravesites even here.

Interestingly, these above ground crypts can be the repository for dozens of burials over the years. Once the remains decay, and they do in short order in the New Orleans heat, they are simply pushed to the back of the crypt and room is made for a new body.

Greenwood Cemetery - Atlanta, Georgia

Greenwood, opened in 1904, is designed in the Lawn style, with long vistas in all directions. Greenwood has a large Jewish section, which visible in the background of these shots.