Charleston's Magnolia Cemetery is a fascinating place. This old cemetery sits on the banks of the Cooper River and is full of beautiful historical markers, statues, crypts, and masoleums and is home to over 30,000 graves. I think it was dedicated about 1850 and is the oldest public cemetery in Charleston. It's on the outskirts of the city and not downtown so you have to drive to get to it, but it's worth the little drive.
There are so many interesting stories here!---stories of the people laid to rest here. Everyone from soldiers and gamblers to poets and Senators, from Generals and famous politicians to authors and Madames. .... You can read so many of the fascinating stories in this book "City of the Silent", by Ted Ashton Phillips.
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| This picture wasn't at Magnolia Cemetery, I made this one at the Baptist church-yard here in town. |
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| I enjoyed this book so much!-- so many interesting stories!! |
It's a lovely place full of big old magnolia trees, and lots and lots of pretty Spanish moss hanging from the trees. The land used to be an old rice plantation called "Magnolia Umbra". The old plantation house still stands and is used as the cemetery offices today. There are so many lovely monuments and ornate architecture as well as lots of pretty wrought iron fencing and gates.
We visited on a cold and sunny day last winter when the azaleas were blooming and enjoyed seeing several different kinds of birds. With the lagoons and salt marsh and plenty of trees, the birds seem very happy.
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| There are egrets, herons, wood storks, spoonbills, ibis, and osprey, as well as warblers and mallards. There are also a few foxes and deer as well as snakes and alligators. |
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| Baby Rosalie, died as infant |
From what I've read, back then when the old city cemeteries and church yards became full, folks began to found and build the new "Victorian Garden" cemeteries outside the cities where they could find room. Cemeteries were planned and laid out as parks, and people would spend afternoons there playing and picnicking, as well as visiting and tending the graves. Mr. Front Porch and I have always picnicked in cemeteries on Labor and Memorial Days, after we place flowers.
I think Magnolia is over 150 or so acres.
And here's a few pictures from the cemetery across the street:
Magnolia Cemetery is open daily 8 to 5 p.m. and free of charge. It's a peaceful sanctuary to walk around and spend a few hours.
