Oakland Cemetery

In 1850 the City of Atlanta established a public cemetery on this ridge overlooking downtown. Originally know as Atlanta or City Cemetery, the name Oakland was adopted in 1872 because of its many oaks. It was the principal burial ground for Atlanta residents, travelers, and paupers. The cemetery contains separate African American and Jewish burial sections, as well as distinct areas for Confederate and Union soldiers. This 48-acre cemetery is the burial site of several Georgia governors, more than twenty Atlanta mayors, and five Confederate generals. Author Margaret Mitchell and golfer Bobby Jones are also buried here. Developed in the style of the "rural" cemetery movement, Oakland is an example of the Victorian interest in funerary art and English landscape aesthetics.