Cedar Grove Cemetery | New Bern

Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Bern, North Carolina, is one of the state’s most historically significant burial grounds, offering not just a final resting place for many prominent figures, but also a deeply symbolic connection to the city’s past. Established in the early 19th century, it is a site of cultural, architectural, and mythological interest, known equally for its elegant monuments as for the stories—both historical and legendary—that surround it.

Founding and Historical Context

Cedar Grove Cemetery was officially founded around 1800, though its use as a burial ground likely began slightly earlier, during a critical time for the city. New Bern had experienced a severe yellow fever epidemic in 1798–1799 that overwhelmed the traditional graveyard at Christ Episcopal Church. This public health crisis necessitated the establishment of a new, larger cemetery to accommodate the dead. Initially managed by the church, the cemetery was transferred to municipal control in 1853, at which time it was named "Cedar Grove" for the cedar trees that originally shaded its grounds.

During the 19th century, Cedar Grove evolved into New Bern's primary public burial ground. Its design, while somewhat reflective of rural cemetery movements popular at the time, has unique architectural and symbolic elements that set it apart from similar cemeteries in the region.

The Coquina Wall and the Weeping Arch

Among Cedar Grove’s most iconic features is the coquina shell wall that encircles it. Constructed around 1853, this wall is built of coquina, a soft, porous limestone composed of crushed shells, locally quarried. Coquina, while rare in most parts of North Carolina, was accessible enough in coastal areas to be used for construction—though its use in a cemetery wall is unusual and visually striking.

At the main entrance stands the dramatic triple-arched gateway, commonly referred to as the Weeping Arch. Made of the same shell-stone material, this imposing structure serves as both a literal and symbolic threshold between the world of the living and the dead. The arch has become the subject of enduring local legend. According to folklore, when rainwater or dew drips from the arch while someone walks beneath it, it is said that person will soon die. This superstition, while morbid, speaks to the cemetery’s place in local culture—where reverence for the dead is combined with centuries of storytelling.

Notable Interments

Cedar Grove Cemetery is the final resting place for many figures of local, state, and even national importance. Among them:

William Gaston (1778–1844): A U.S. Congressman and North Carolina Supreme Court Justice, he is best known as the author of the state song, The Old North State. He was a fierce advocate for religious freedom in public office and remains a figure of legal and civic pride.

John Stanly (1774–1834): A two-term Federalist Congressman who became infamous for participating in a fatal duel with Richard Dobbs Spaight, a signer of the U.S. Constitution. Stanly’s burial here is a reminder of the political intensity of early America.

Caleb Bradham (1867–1934): A New Bern pharmacist and the inventor of Pepsi-Cola. Bradham’s legacy has become part of the city’s modern branding, and his grave is a quiet tribute to American entrepreneurship.

Bayard Wootten (1875–1959): A pioneering female photographer, Bayard was also the first woman in the North Carolina National Guard. Her photographs captured the cultural and natural landscapes of the American South with exceptional artistry.

Owen Haywood Guion (1861–1925): Former Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives and judge, he was a key figure in the state’s legal evolution during Reconstruction and the early 20th century.

Civil War and Confederate Section

Cedar Grove includes a section dedicated to Confederate soldiers, many of whom died in hospitals around New Bern during and after the Civil War. This portion of the cemetery contains approximately 300 Confederate graves, some marked and many unknown. A modest Confederate monument stands among them, reflecting the cemetery’s role in regional remembrance.

During the Civil War, New Bern was occupied early on by Union forces. Despite this, many of the Confederate soldiers buried at Cedar Grove were from local regiments or died from wounds and disease in the area. The preservation of these graves has sparked both reverence and debate, reflective of broader conversations on Civil War memory in the South.

Design and Symbolism

The cemetery's layout reflects 19th-century burial aesthetics, with winding paths, ornamental iron fences, and a variety of grave markers:

Obelisks: Signifying resurrection and eternal life.

Weeping willows and urns: Representing sorrow and the soul.

Angels and lambs: Common on children's graves, denoting innocence.

Masonic symbols and other fraternal emblems reflect the affiliations and beliefs of the deceased.

Cedar Grove also has many family plots, delineated with stone borders or wrought iron fences. The inscriptions—often poetic—speak to the values and experiences of a bygone era, including the tragic loss of infants, veterans of numerous wars, and prominent community leaders.

Legends and Local Lore

The Weeping Arch is the most enduring supernatural element associated with Cedar Grove, but it is not the only tale. Numerous ghost tours in New Bern feature the cemetery prominently, claiming sightings of:

Shadowy figures moving between gravestones

Mysterious lights or cold spots near older plots

Eerie sounds at night, including whispers and footsteps

Whether one believes the stories or not, they add to the cemetery’s mystique and make it a compelling destination for visitors interested in both history and folklore.

Preservation and Public Engagement

Cedar Grove Cemetery is managed today by the City of New Bern, and its preservation is supported in part by organizations like the New Bern Historical Society, which conducts guided tours, particularly during special occasions like Heritage Weekend or Halloween ghost walks.

Ongoing maintenance includes:

Restoration of headstones and fencing

Tree maintenance (many ancient live oaks still shade parts of the cemetery)

Community volunteer cleanup events

Documentation of unmarked graves and genealogical records

The cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring it receives some federal recognition and protection.

Visiting Details

Address: 808 George Street, New Bern, NC

Hours: Sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week

Admission: Free

Parking: Street parking is available nearby

Accessibility: Some uneven terrain, but most pathways are walkable

Visitors are encouraged to be respectful—this is not only a historic site but also an active cemetery where families still visit loved ones. Photography is allowed, but commercial or group visits often require prior permission.

Conclusion

Cedar Grove Cemetery is far more than a burial ground. It is a living museum of New Bern’s history—home to patriots, innovators, soldiers, artists, and everyday citizens whose stories shape the fabric of this Eastern North Carolina city. From its haunting Weeping Arch to its centuries-old live oaks, Cedar Grove invites contemplation of mortality, memory, and the enduring power of place.