Oakland Cemetery

Oakland Cemetery is Atlanta, Georgia's oldest and largest cemetery as well as its fourth largest green space (behind Freedom, Piedmont and Grant Parks). Founded as "Atlanta Cemetery" in 1850 on six acres (2.4 hectares) of land southeast of the city, Oakland was renamed in 1872 to reflect the large number of oak and magnolia trees growing in the area. By that time, the city had grown and the cemetery had enlarged correspondingly to the current 88 acres (35.6 hectares). Since then, Atlanta has continued to expand, so that Oakland is now located in the center of the city. Oakland is an excellent example of a Victorian-style cemetery and reflects the "garden cemetery" movement started and exemplified by Mount Auburn Cemetery in Massachusetts.

Related Topics:
Atlanta, Georgia - Green space - Freedom - Piedmont - Grant Parks - 1850 - 1872 - Oak - Magnolia - Victorian - Mount Auburn Cemetery - Massachusetts

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The original six acres of Oakland remains one of the oldest historical plots of land in Atlanta, most of the rest of the city having been burned in 1864. Because of its age and location, the cemetery directly reflects the history and changing culture of the City of Atlanta and the significant events it has seen. Names of Atlanta streets, buildings, parks, subdivisions, and more can be found within the cemetery gates. An estimated 70,000 people are interred at Oakland and while the last plots were sold in 1884, there are still regular burials today. These are largely conducted on family-owned plots or areas owned by Atlanta (one of the most recent being former mayor Maynard Jackson, whose plot was contributed by the city).

Related Topics:
Burned - 1864 - 1884 - Maynard Jackson

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