Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Oaklawn Cemetery

Mobile County

Photographed by Jim Ellis, May 21, 2020

1. Oaklawn Cemetery Historical Marker

Inscription. Oaklawn Cemetery is believed to have begun in 1876 as a local family cemetery plot, became a community cemetery by 1879, and expanded into a formally organized cemetery in 1931. Historical and burial information indicates this cemetery primarily served the Mobile, Alabama, African-American community and others from all walks of life. While the number of burials is unknown, it is estimated that as many as 10,000 people are buried here. The cemetery contains burials of Veterans from all branches of the Military, including Merchant Marines, from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and other conflicts/wars. Also buried here are Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star Recipients, as well as Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, and others. Many leaders from Mobile’s African-American community are buried here including educators, union leaders, doctors, attorneys, church leaders, artists, and politicians. After changing ownership several times, the non-perpetual care, 20-acre cemetery became completely overgrown and seemingly forgotten and lost to time. As the cemetery restoration process continues, the history of the cemetery and those

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buried here continues to be discovered.

Listed in the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register, on September 6, 2018

Erected 2019 by 92nd Infantry Division Buffalo Soldiers Association WWII Mobile, Alabama Chapter.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list.

Location. 30° 42.814′ N, 88° 4.514′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is on Holt Road (Local Route 1800), on the right when traveling north. This cemetery/marker is to the north of the Catholic Cemetery of Mobile. Cemetery Lane or Yukers Street both end at Holt Road in front of the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mobile AL 36617, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Gulf Coast

and in the Mobile Bay area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

Oaklawn Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Ellis, September 24, 2020

2. Oaklawn Cemetery Marker

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Catholic Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gen. William C. Gorgas (approx. 0.4 miles away); Africatown, Alabama / The UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples: Resistance, Liberty and Heritage (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lewis Quarters (approx. 0.7 miles away); Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd / Founding Members (approx. ¾ mile away); Vernon Z. Crawford Law Firm (approx. 0.9 miles away); Christopher First Johnson House (approx. one mile away); Dunbar/Central High School (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.

More about this marker. Marker is double sided, same information on both sides. The marker is also located adjacent to the veterans memorial at the front of the cemetery (a series of flag poles representing the

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US and all the services).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2020. This page has been viewed 1,580 times since then and 198 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2020, by Jim Ellis of Theodore, Alabama. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.