When you’re dead, they really fix you up. I hope to hell when I do die somebody has sense enough to just dump me in the river or something. Anything except sticking me in a goddam cemetery. People coming and putting a bunch of flowers on your stomach on Sunday, and all that crap. Who wants flowers when you’re dead? Nobody.
~ The Catcher in the Rye
Oakland Cemetery is reminiscent of a New Orleans cemetery, or someone told me because I’ve never been to New Orleans. That trip is on my bucket list soon to be completed next year during a ridiculous American tradition of alcohol and vomiting, otherwise known as Mardi Gras. Hey, everyone should participate in Mardi Gras once right? I digress, Oakland Cemetery is located in the heart of Atlanta. I love these amazing places that feel like you’ve walked into another world. I wish I had better photos of this place but once we got there it started to thunder and the rain soon followed. Starting my quest list was probably bad timing with the monsoon weather we’ve been having. There will be a Oakland Cemetery Part II coming soon…..
So fun facts about Oakland to quickly tell you:
- Oakland Cemetery has been around since 1850. There’s a lot of souls living there from many generations. It’s an active cemetery so people are still being buried there to this day.
- In 1862, they hung seven Union operatives who were captured as spies in the southeast corner of the cemetery. So if you’re into creepy things or think you’re a ghost hunter, that would be a place to summon the spirits.
- The Lion of Atlanta guards the 3,000 unknown Confederation dead. There is a large site in Oakland for the Confederate dead and it’s a massive thing to behold when you see it.
- Besides the Confederate Memorial Grounds there are several other Character Area’s such as the Jewish Flat, Jewish Hill, African American Grounds and Potter’s Field. Check them ALL out.
- There’s a map for self-guided tours, it’s $4 and well worth it.
Here are some famous people who reside at Oakland:
- Margaret Mitchell – If you have to Google who this is, please lock yourself in a room away from society. You should know your classics.
- Bobby Jones – you can place golf balls at his grave site!
- Moses W. Formwalt – Atlanta’s first mayor
- Dr. Peter Paul Noel D’Alvigny – He saved Atlanta Medical College (Now Emory University) from being burned by Union soldiers
- Dr. Joseph Jacobs – This guy had a chain of drug stores and his drug store at Five Points was the first to sell Coca- Cola
- There’s literally a massive list of interesting dead people so if you go, read the map.
I almost forgot to mention a small side trip worth having. As I mentioned before it started to thunder and rain before I had a chance to really explore the cemetery. As we were starting to walk back through to get to the car we happened upon a clearing in which big bold letter across the street read, SIX FEET UNDER. Now, I’ve been to the other location but this was awesome. So if it’s raining or you need a refreshing break, check out Six Feet Under. It’s right across the street. We went up to the roof and sat under the patio umbrella looking out onto Oakland Cemetery and had a few delicious brews until it stopped pouring down rain.
Here are a few pictures. My good Canon camera was stolen by someone who clearly sucks the marrow out of life. But I will boast that my Samsung Galaxy 3 takes some decent photographs.
The ominous gate
You can see the city way in the back!
Statues galore!
There are so many things to marvel at!
Old trees and old tombstones
The death of the English language happened and here is the grave site.
It’s amazing to think how old some of these are!
Margaret Mitchell Marsh….
This was slightly creepy to me
This looks like fairies may spend their afternoons here.
The Unknown Confederate Dead
Anyone who likes taking pictures will have fun here.
The Great Georgia Quest 