Gadsden in Etowah County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Southern Hill Cemetery
Etowah County
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2021
1. Southern Hill Cemetery Marker
Inscription.
Southern Hill Cemetery. Etowah County. Established in 1826 as "The Colored Cemetery," this site is the first and largest African-American cemetery in Gadsden. In 1918, the Mosaic Templars of America, a fraternal organization who provided African Americans with death and burial insurance, established a smaller cemetery here. Southern Hill, also known as "6th Street Cemetery," is the final resting place for many veterans who served in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, world war one, world war two and Korean War. Many slaves, early settlers, children, landowners, sharecroppers, educators, preachers, steel mill laborers, and business men and women are also buried here. The Alabama Historical Commission listed this cemetery in the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register on June 6, 2013.
Lineage of Owners
1826-1876 John W. Slack , 1876-1906 Etowah County Commission , 1906-1918 T.J. and Lily Woodliff , 1918 - 1935 A.W. Woodliff , 1918 Mosaic Templars of America , 2013-present Grace Heritage Community Development
Established in 1826 as "The Colored Cemetery," this site is
the first and largest African-American cemetery in Gadsden.
In 1918, the Mosaic Templars of America, a fraternal
organization who provided African Americans with death and
burial insurance, established a smaller cemetery here.
Southern Hill, also known as "6th Street Cemetery," is the
final resting place for many veterans who served in the Civil
War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII and Korean War.
Many slaves, early settlers, children, landowners, sharecroppers, educators, preachers, steel mill laborers, and
business men and women are also buried here. The Alabama
Historical Commission listed this cemetery in the Alabama
Historic Cemetery Register on June 6, 2013.
Lineage of Owners
1826-1876 John W. Slack
1876-1906 Etowah County Commission
1906-1918 T.J. and Lily Woodliff
1918 - 1935 A.W. Woodliff
1918 Mosaic Templars of America
2013-present Grace Heritage Community Development
Erected 2016 by State Representatives Ford, Nordgren, and Butler; Chari Bostick, Team Leaders and Grace Heritage Community Development.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 2013.
Location.
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33° 59.924′ N, 86° 0.66′ W. Marker is in Gadsden, Alabama, in Etowah County. Marker can be reached from South Sixth Street, 0.2 miles south of Oak Street. Enclosed behind fencing at very end of S 6th St at NW corner of the James D. Martin Wildlife Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 976 S 6th St, Gadsden AL 35901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Southern Hill Cemetery. Southern Hill Cemetery was once part of the Forest Hill community, a predominantly black section of Gadsden. The cemetery was abandoned in the 1940s when the City of Gadsden declared eminent domain over the area. Vines and tall grass have grown over many of the headstones. It sits behind Williamsburg Apartments and many grave stones are broken and have been vandalized. A tall
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2021
2. Southern Hill Cemetery Marker
fence has been erected to help prevent vandalism.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2021
3. Southern Hill Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2021
4. Southern Hill Cemetery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 444 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 20, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.