The Enchantment of Oakland
Important Atlanta milestones are represented, from early builders, to Civil War soldiers, to leaders of industry, to Civil Rights pioneers. Oakland is also poetry, art, architecture, nature and personal stories of 70,000 souls.
Shining Example
During the 19th Century, the “rural garden” cemetery movement emerged as an alternative to crowded graveyards. Oakland exemplifies this movement. In the Victorian spirit, the garden cemetery featured winding paths, large shade trees, flowers and shrubs, and appealing vistas. It was meant for the living as well as departed loved ones—just like Oakland today. The garden cemetery concept was a forerunner of public park development in America.
Valued Green Space
In 1850, city fathers established the new cemetery on farmland away from the bustling center of town. Today, the 88 acres of Oakland provide the third largest green space in downtown Atlanta, an oasis of beauty and calm in the midst of a busy urban center. Step into Oakland and the temperature can drop five degrees on a steamy summer day. Eyes accustomed to grimy shades of city gray suddenly flood with every tint of green. Breathe deeply; a heady combination of camellia and magnolia overwhelms. To step into the park is a reprieve. You become part of nature’s plan. It’s a favorite spot for an evening stroll, a picnic lunch, an early morning run, a weekend tour, or a reflective pause at any time.
Oakland is also the place to see some of Atlanta’s finest tree and plant specimens. Magnificent oak, magnolia and dogwood complement delightful antique rose and butterfly gardens. Oakland’s cherry laurel is recognized as the most outstanding in the city. In honor of Oakland’s horticultural importance, the 2003 Southeastern Flower Show awarded Historic Oakland Foundation its prestigious Legacy Garden gift of plantings. Learn about restoration work.
Art, Architecture and Poetry
Oakland’s funerary art is unequaled in the area. Elaborate mausolea, soaring sculptures and effusive inscriptions speak of an age when the bereaved found consolation in extravagant expression.
Impressive art and architecture can be seen in many styles: Victorian, Greek Revival, Gothic, Neo-classical, Egyptian and Exotic Revival. Several mausolea feature stained glass windows from Tiffany Studios. Bronze urns over six feet high were cast at Gorham Factory in New York, the first art foundry in America. Read about the rewards of exploring Oakland. (Link to Exploring Oakland)
Figures carved from stone droop in sorrow, gaze pensively or reach to the heavens. The best known is the massive “Lion of Atlanta,” marking an estimated 3,000 graves of unknown Confederate soldiers disinterred from the battlefield. Icons are everywhere, employing symbols that speak a language of grief unknown in contemporary culture. The expertise of Historic Oakland Foundation plays an important role in preserving knowledge of 19th Century funerary symbolism and communicating its meaning. Learn what the symbols mean. (link to Symbols)
Residents of Oakland
The celebrated and humble rest together at Oakland. Tycoon and pauper, Christian and Jew, black and white, powerful and meek, soldier and civilian—all are here.
In June 2003, Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first African-American mayor, became the 25th mayor of the city to be buried at Oakland, joining six Georgia governors. Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With The Wind, is buried here. So are golf great Robert T. (Bobby) Jones; Joel Hurt, one of the city’s leading developers and entrepreneurs; Atlanta historian Franklin Garrett, Bishop Wesley John Gaines, founder of Morris Brown College; Carrie Steele Logan, 19th Century founder of Atlanta’s first orphanage for black children which continues today as the Carrie Steel Pitts Home, and others who played a role in Atlanta’s evolution. Many of Oakland’s graves are etched with familiar names borne by Atlanta parks, streets, neighborhoods and businesses. For every lavish monument marking a prominent or wealthy family, there are hundreds of small, simple headstones. Not far from some of Atlanta’s best known sons and daughters are paupers buried at public expense. Here, an ornate tomb is inscribed with flowery verse—there, a plain marker merely says “Infant.” Discovering fascinating lore.
