Decatur Cemetery - Decatur, DeKalb Co., GA
Posted by: Lat34North
N 33° 46.794 W 084° 17.598
16S E 750636 N 3741045
The Decatur Cemetery is the oldest known publicly owned burial ground in metro Atlanta, the Decatur Cemetery is believed to predate the city’s 1823 incorporation.
Waymark Code: WM1XG8
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 07/27/2007
Views: 125
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]
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Visit Instructions:
Post an original, un-copywrited picture of the Cemetery into this Waymark gallery, along with any observations about the cemetery.