Decatur Cemetery - Decatur, DeKalb Co., GA - Worldwide Cemeteries 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

Open sunrise to sunset.

There are two entrances to the cemetery, the main entrance to the old cemetery is on Commerce Drive, the second, or west entrance is located on Bell St off of Church St.

City, Town, or Parish / State / Country: Not listed Approximate number of graves: Not listed Cemetery Status: Active Cemetery Website: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   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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