Oberlin Village in Raleigh in Wake County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Oberlin Cemetery
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 1, 2023
1. Oberlin Cemetery Marker
African Americans
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 35° 47.81′ N, 78° 39.535′ W. Marker is in Raleigh, North Carolina, in Wake County. It is in Oberlin Village. Marker can be reached from Oberlin Road north of Glover Lane, on the right when traveling north. Marker is behind the YMCA Oberlin Road Program Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1012 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh NC 27605, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oberlin Village (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holt Family (about 500 feet away); George Thomas Morris and Snoopy (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Reverend Plummer T. Hall House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Graves-Fields House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Latta University Site: 1892-1922 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sitdowns
this page online
Regarding Oberlin Cemetery. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
The total number of graves is believed to be approximately 600, however only 139 scattered grave markers, most of stone and concrete, but also including one zinc grave marker and one wood grave marker, are visible. Most graves are marked only by depressions in the earth. …
The cemetery’s original one acre, deeded to the community in 1873, was enlarged prior to 1900. In 1924 John T. Turner subdivided a narrow strip of property along the south edge of the cemetery as an annex named Pine View Cemetery. The 55-foot-wide and 450-foot-deep annex is approximately .57 acre in size, bringing the total size to 2.93 acres.…
The oldest grave markers are likely the seven uninscribed fieldstones (Nos. 1-7) in a row in the front (southwest) corner of the cemetery. Pairs of tall and short stones serve as head and footstones. Most nineteenth century graveyards in Wake County include uninscribed fieldstones like these. Their dates are unknown, but may be family members of the Pettifordswho owned the cemetery site prior to 1873.…Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 1, 20232. Oberlin Cemetery Supplemental MarkerThe cemetery also is a Raleigh Historic Landmark.
The earliest known burial is of child Julia Andrews (1874-1876), listed with other infants on the obelisk of her mother Margaret Andrews (1855-1889) (No. 43). The earliest dated individual grave marker is an arched marble headstone for Maria Dickerson (1826-1884) (No. 81), wife of John Dickerson. The second earliest dated grave marker is a large marble headstone for Mary Dunston (1791-1885) (No. 15); the next oldest dated grave marker is a tall arched marble headstone for Zylphia Thompson (1804-1888) (No. 71).
Also see . . .
1. Oberlin Cemetery (PDF). National Register nomination submitted for the cemetery, which was listed in 2018. (Prepared by M. Ruth Little of Longleaf Historic Resources; via N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) (Submitted on September 22, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. 252: Oberlin Cemetery. Census (through 2015) of burials in the cemetery, including unmarked ones. (Cemetery Census) (Submitted on September 22, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 1, 2023
3. Oberlin Cemetery Marker
Featured marker is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 22, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
