Glennwood Estates in Decatur in DeKalb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Historic Decatur Cemetery

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 24, 2008

1. Historic Decatur Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The oldest known publicly owned burial ground in metro Atlanta, the Decatur Cemetery is believed to predate the city’s 1823 incorporation. The first written record is an 1832 act of legislature providing “Commissioners for the Decatur Burial Ground.” Expanded many times, the cemetery comprises 58 acres with over 20,000 grave sites. Its appearance dates from an 1881 formal landscaping plan which included well house, wrought iron fencing, and architectural details of Stone Mountain granite. The 7.5 acre “Old Cemetery” contains most 19th century interments and the historic African-American section. Monuments commemorate residents of all social strata, ethnic origins, and veterans of every American war. Here rest Col Milton A. Chandler (1837-1909), legislator & congressman; Dr. Tomas Holley Chivers (1806-1858), physician & poet; Mary A. H. Gay (1828-1918), author of Life in Dixie During the War; the Hon. Charles Murphey (1799-1861), legislator, Congressman, & delegate to the Secession Convention; Col. George Washington Scott (1829-1903), founder of Agnes Scott College; Benjamin F. Swanton (1807-1890),

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entrepreneur & builder of the Swanton House; and many others who shaped the history of the community.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places 1997.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.

Location. 33° 46.678′ N, 84° 17.509′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Georgia, in DeKalb County. It is in Glennwood Estates. It is on Commerce Drive (Georgia Route 155) half a mile north of East Ponce De Leon Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located just inside the gate on Commerce Drive in Decatur. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Decatur GA 30030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in 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

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 24, 2008

2. Historic Decatur Cemetery Marker

of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: July 22, 1864 (within shouting distance of this marker); During the Battle of Decatur (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wheeler’s Cav. at Decatur (approx. 0.3 miles away); DeKalb County (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Stoneman Raid (approx. 0.3 miles away); Steatite Boulder (approx. 0.3 miles away); Baron DeKalb (approx. 0.3 miles away); Houston Mill Millstone (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

Decatur Cemetery Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bruce W. Taylor, 2023

3. Decatur Cemetery Office

Building at the entrance - Decatur Cemetery, Bell Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bruce W. Taylor, 2023

4. Building at the entrance - Decatur Cemetery, Bell Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,297 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 29, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2023, by Bruce W. Taylor of Atlanta,, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.