Born in Thomasville, Georgia on January 4, 1872, Selena Sloan Butler grew up understanding the importance of children's and parents’ rights. She was born to a white father and a mixed-race mother who was of Indian and African American descent.…
A few months ago, I introduced you to the Akridge Family Cemetery, a small site on the west side of Atlanta. I'm happy to now be able to introduce you to several of the individuals buried in the cemetery. Along…
In 1873, the City of Atlanta deeded a plot in Oakland Cemetery to the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta in memory of Father Thomas O’Reilly of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and the Hibernian Rifles, for their service during…
Born in Virginia in 1836, Gustavus Roy grew up planning to practice medicine like his father. He graduated from the prestigious Richmond College and the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. When the Civil War began in 1861, Dr. Roy joined…
From gospel to hip hop to indie rock, Atlanta’s musical roots run wide and deep. The city’s tuneful history is evident at Oakland Cemetery where musicians of all genres are buried together in eternal slumber. One of Oakland’s most notable…
With the 2022 Winter Olympics happening in Beijing, we look back at the Atlanta Games and how Oakland connects to this global celebration! Sports are a fundamental part of Atlanta’s history and culture. Atlanta is home to five professional sports…
If you’ve taken a walk through historic Oakland Cemetery’s Bell Tower Ridge, you may have noticed a large monument dedicated to the Atlanta Typographical Union. It’s surrounded by a cluster of small, mostly unmarked stones. This modest plot happens to…
This is the second part of Andrew Bramlett's article on grave robbing in Georgia. See part 1. The first major attempted grave robbery at Oakland Cemetery took place after hours on December 22, 1880. Oakland guards Belcher and Hunt approached…
The only creatures in the cemetery at midnight were the occasional bird and two mysterious men. Determined to do their job without interruption, these men carried a large bag and shovel. The purpose of their visit was obvious: they were…
Several inconspicuous headstones can be found in the African American Burial Grounds. They appear to be made of concrete and have bright white plaster fronts. Each stone contains information commonly found on grave markers, like biographical information (names, dates) and…