Oaklawn Cemetery
Mobile County
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 buried here continues
this page online
Erected 2019 by 92nd Infantry Division Buffalo Soldiers Association WWII Mobile, Alabama Chapter.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Civil Rights.
Location. 30° 42.814′ N, 88° 4.514′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Catholic Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gen. William C. Gorgas (approx. 0.4 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); Dave Patton (approx. 1.2 miles away); Dr. James A. Franklin (approx. 1.3 miles 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 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 399 times since then and 215 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.
