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.
Historic Decatur Cemetery. . 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 and congressman; Dr. Tomas Holley Chivers (1806-1858), physician and poet; Mary A. H. Gay (1828-1918), author of Life in Dixie During the War; the Hon. Charles Murphey (1799-1861), legislator, Congressman, and delegate to the Secession Convention; Col. George Washington Scott (1829-1903), founder of Agnes Scott College; Benjamin F. Swanton (1807-1890), entrepreneur and builder of the Swanton House; and many others who shaped the history of the community., Listed in the National Register of Historic Places 1997.
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), 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
Location. 33° 46.678′ N, 84° 17.509′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Georgia, in DeKalb County. It is in Glennwood Estates. Marker 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.
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 1,699 times since then and 47 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.
