Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Oakdale Cemetery

1852-1855

— L. Turner, surveyor —

Oakdale Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

1. Oakdale Cemetery Marker

Inscription. North Carolina's first “rural cemetery,” incorporated as the Wilmington Cemetery Company by an act of legislature on March 4, 1852. The sixty-five acre site offered high land, picturesque topography, streams and native vegetation. Organizers were civic leaders, many of who were interested in horticulture. The initial interment, February 5, 1855 was that of Annie, daughter of physician Armand John deRosset, the first president of the cemetery company. Within Oakdale's boundaries are: Hebrew cemetery (1855); Masonic (1869); and yellow fever (1862) areas; and a section for unknown Confederate dead (1867).

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1855.

Location. 34° 14.616′ N, 77° 55.865′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is on North 15th Street 0.1 miles north of Campbell Street, on the left when traveling north. It is on one of the gateposts

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at the cemetery entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 520 N 15th St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Glascow Hicks House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hiatt House (about 500 feet away); Allen and Anna Love House (about 600 feet away); Pine Forest Cemetery (about 700 feet away); Bellamy-Baggett House (about 700 feet away); 1862 Burial Site of Yellow Fever Victims (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jesse James Mohn House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jaffé House

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Oakdale Cemetery Marker

Marker is on the left gatepost.

(approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . . History of Oakdale Cemetery. By the mid-nineteenth century, St. James churchyard and the town burial grounds were crowded. (Janet K. Seapker, Oakdale Cemetery) (Submitted on January 29, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Yellow Fever victims image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

3. Yellow Fever victims

A plot in Oakdale Cemetery was set aside for those who perished in the 1862 Yellow Fever epidemic that swept through Wilmington. This marker, erected in 2017, lists the names of 311 of those victims.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on January 29, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.