Brunswick, Georgia

Commemorating Historic Cemeteries:  The nineteenth century saw the rise of industrial economies and the concomitant expansion of city populations. That meant more people were dying in cities, too. So many, in fact, that the old church yards soon ran out of space. Voila! The rural cemetery, or garden cemetery, was born. The first was on the outskirts of Paris. By 1838, the rural cemetery movement had reached Brunswick, Georgia, making Brunswick a little more like Paris! Buried here were "over 100 Civil War Veterans," including Capt. Douglas Risley, who went on to found the city's first school for African Americans. The next question, however, is not answered by the historical market: How many of the students who attended his school were actually buried here with him? Oak Grove Cemetery. [2010]

Charleston, South Carolina

Singling Out Historical Cemeteries:  Historical markers are used by state and local governments to single out cemeteries of cultural significance. Not only is Magnolia Cemetery old, it is also on the site of a Southern plantation that dates back to 1784. In fact, the plantation house now serves as the cemetery office. In addition to being marked by the State of South Carolina, Magnolia Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places. Magnolia Cemetery. [2012]

Atlanta, Georgia

Focus on Oakland Cemetery:  Although no longer segregated, there continues to be a 'Black section' at Oakland, and here is one of the recent memorials to be implanted there. Look up Ollivette Eugenia Smith Allison, then figure out for yourself the symbolism of the mother elephant and her calf. It's an inspiring story. How can cemeteries keep inspiring stories like this alive? [2014]

Atlanta, Georgia

Focus on Oakland Cemetery:  The old Jewish section of Oakland was set aside at the request of the Atlanta's original Jewish temple. The new Jewish section is much less crowded and has far fewer Hebrew inscriptions. [2014]

Atlanta, Georgia

Focus on Oakland Cemetery:  Atlanta is old enough to have a 'rural cemetery' of its own, and it does. Given the rolling hills of the Piedmont, there was no problem in finding an outlying hilltop that rose above Atlanta's downtown. In the distance, you can see three of Peachtree Center's highest high rises. As for Oakland Cemetery, it has high rises of its own: in the form of Victorian tombstones that also lift the eye towards heaven. [2014]

Laramie, Wyoming

Focus on Green Hill Cemetery:  Annette Stott, in her book Pioneer Cemeteries, notes that "before the advent of art museums, public libraries, or civic sculpture, the western cemetery functioned as a repository of art and history." That continues to be true. The art on this headstone communicates a powerful sense of place that arises from the realms of history and economic geography. [2013]