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

Florence Cemetery

-1818-

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, July 18, 2009

1. Florence Cemetery 1818 Marker

Inscription.

When the city was surveyed this land described as "outside the city limits" was designated as the burying grounds for the new town. It contains the graves of early settlers, including a son and brother of Ferdinand Sannoner, Surveyor of Florence, and served as the principal cemetery for over 130 years. Two former Governors in the O'Neal family, as well as many prominent community leaders and families are interred here. "Soldier's Rest", a Confederate Cemetery, is located near the south property line.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil.

Location. 34° 48.179′ N, 87° 40.015′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is on East College Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Patton Elementary School (within shouting distance of this marker); "Mountain" Tom Clark (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Soldier's Rest (about 800 feet away); St. Joseph Catholic Church (approx. ¼ mile away); 115th Signal Battalion (approx. ¼ mile away); Fort Willingham

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Old Confederate Fort (approx. 0.3 miles away); Florence Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Regarding Florence Cemetery. The Walking Tour of historic downtown Florence Cemetery is held annually in June. There are unique headstones and the graves of famous people, including Governor Emmet O'Neal, William Patton, Susan Rapier and others.

Also see . . . John Baptiste Sannoner. Born at Leghorn in Tuscany, aged 30 years and 7 months Resigned to a painful illness of dropsy. His brother Ferdinand to eternal memory of fraternal affection placed this tomb on his cold remains (Submitted on May 2, 2019, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Tombstone of Emmett O'Neal, Governor of Alabama image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, June 20, 2009

2. Tombstone of Emmett O'Neal, Governor of Alabama

Florence Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 29, 2025

3. Florence Cemetery Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,530 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on March 22, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on May 30, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.