Decatur Cemetery - Decatur, GA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

The oldest known publicly owned burial ground in metro Atlanta, the Decatur Cemetery is believed to predate the city’s 1823 incorporation. The first written record is an 1852 act of the legislature providing “Commissioners for the Decatur Buria1 Ground”. Expanded many times, the cemetery comprises 38 acres with over 20,000 grave sites. Its appearance dates from an 1881 landscaping plan which included well house, wrought iron fencing, and architectural details of Stone Mountain granite. The 7.5 acre “Old Cemetery” contains most 19th century internments and the historic “African American” section. Monuments commemorate residents of all social strata, ethnic origins, and veterans of every American war. Here rest Col. Milton A Candler (1837 – 1909) legislator & congressman; Dr Thomas Holly Chivers (1806 - 1858), physician & poet; Mary A.H. Gay (1828 – 1918) author of Life In Dixie During the War; the Hon. Charles Murphey (1799 – 1861). legislator, congressman, & delegate to the Secession Convention; Col. George Washington Scott (1829 - 1903), founder of Agnes Scott College; Benjamin F. Swanton (1807-1890), entrepreneur builder the Swanton House; and many others who shaped the history the community.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, 1997

From the marker located on the granite column at the main entrance to the old Cemetery.

July 22, 1864
This cemetery was the scene of an engagement between 8th Confederate Cavalry Col. J. S. Prather Commanding and a large force of Federal Troops. The latter were repulsed and 225 prisoners taken.
Erected by the Agnes Lee chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy.



Located in downtown Decatur on Commerce Drive. The marker detailing some of the history of the cemetery is located just inside of the main gate to the old cemetery.

Open sunrise to sunset.

Street address: 229 Bell St Decatur, Ga USA 30030 County / Borough / Parish: DeKalb Year listed: 1997 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949 Historic function: Defense, Funerary, Landscape, Recreation And Culture Current function: Funerary, Landscape, Recreation And Culture Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2007 To: 12/31/2007 Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Privately owned?: Not Listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 1: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/19/2018 ckirbee visited it 09/29/2013 BlueMoth visited it 04/16/2012 Blue Man visited it 07/14/2007 Lat34North visited it

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