Colonial Park Cemetery | Savannah

Colonial Park Cemetery is a historically significant and deeply evocative burial ground located in the heart of Savannah, Georgia’s Historic District. Established in 1750, it is the oldest intact municipal cemetery in Savannah, encompassing approximately six acres. It served as the primary public cemetery for the city from its founding until 1853, reflecting nearly a century of Savannah’s early colonial, revolutionary, and antebellum history.

Origins and Development

Originally established to serve Christ Church Parish, Colonial Park Cemetery was intended as a burial ground primarily for Anglican residents. However, by 1789, the cemetery expanded its role to become a non-denominational municipal cemetery open to all citizens regardless of religious affiliation. Over time, the cemetery underwent three separate expansions to accommodate the growing population of Savannah, ultimately becoming the resting place for an estimated 10,000 people by the time it ceased active use in the mid-19th century.

The cemetery’s layout is typical of the era, with rows of headstones, family plots, and larger monuments scattered among shaded pathways and mature trees. The tombstones and grave markers provide valuable insight into 18th- and 19th-century funerary art, social customs, and local history.

Historical Importance

Colonial Park Cemetery stands as a testament to Savannah’s complex and often turbulent history. It reflects the city’s colonial roots under British rule, its role in the American Revolution, and its growth during the early years of the United States.

During the Civil War, when Savannah was occupied by Union forces in December 1864, the cemetery was used as a bivouac area for Union soldiers. Unfortunately, this period also led to some desecration, with reports of soldiers defacing and damaging gravestones. This reflects the broader scars left by the war on the city and its heritage sites.

Notable Interments

The cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent figures who played vital roles in American and Georgia history:

Button Gwinnett: One of Georgia’s signers of the Declaration of Independence, Gwinnett died in 1777 following a duel. Although his exact gravesite remains uncertain within the cemetery, a monument commemorates his legacy.

Samuel Elbert: A Revolutionary War general and later governor of Georgia, Elbert is honored with a memorial within the cemetery grounds.

James Habersham Sr. and Jr.: Father and son who were influential colonial-era political figures and merchants.

Edward Malbone: An early American miniaturist painter, Malbone’s grave reflects the cultural history of the region.

Several other local officials, soldiers, and early settlers are buried here, making the cemetery a vital repository of Savannah’s genealogical and historical records.

The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1820

One of the most somber aspects of Colonial Park Cemetery’s history is its connection to the devastating yellow fever epidemic that struck Savannah in 1820. This outbreak claimed the lives of hundreds of residents in a matter of weeks. A large mass grave near the northern end of the cemetery holds more than 700 victims of this epidemic. The grave site remains a powerful symbol of the human cost of disease in early urban America and a reminder of Savannah’s vulnerability to tropical illnesses.

Transition to a Historic Park

By 1853, as Savannah’s population grew and new burial grounds were established, Colonial Park Cemetery was closed to new interments. To prevent the site from falling into neglect or being overtaken by urban development, the city transformed the area into a historic park in 1896. This conversion preserved the integrity of the cemetery while providing a green space within Savannah’s busy downtown.

Today, Colonial Park Cemetery functions both as a public park and a historical site. Its shaded walkways, mature oaks, and weathered gravestones create a contemplative atmosphere where visitors can reflect on Savannah’s layered history.

Visitor Experience and Features

Visitors to Colonial Park Cemetery can explore a variety of historical and cultural elements:

Gravestones and Monuments: The cemetery contains a range of grave markers from simple fieldstones to elaborate Victorian-era monuments. These reflect changing styles in memorialization and provide insight into the social status, professions, and family histories of Savannah’s early inhabitants.

Historic Interpretive Signage: Informational plaques throughout the cemetery offer background on notable burials, the yellow fever epidemic, and the cemetery’s development over time.

Peaceful Garden Setting: The site has been landscaped as a park, featuring walking paths, benches, and abundant tree cover. This setting makes it a quiet retreat amidst the urban environment.

Free Public Access: Open year-round, the cemetery welcomes visitors without charge, allowing both locals and tourists to appreciate Savannah’s heritage firsthand.

Cultural and Educational Importance

Colonial Park Cemetery serves as a significant cultural landmark in Savannah. It offers historians, genealogists, and the general public a tangible connection to centuries of history, from colonial settlement through early American independence and into the Civil War era.

By preserving this cemetery, Savannah maintains a vital link to the lives and stories of its past residents, ensuring that the memory of those who shaped the city endures. The site also highlights themes of mortality, public health, and urban development, enriching understanding of the city’s evolution over time.

Practical Information

Location: 200 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia, within the Savannah Historic District.

Hours: Open daily; longer hours in spring and summer months (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM), shorter hours in fall and winter.

Admission: Free to the public.

Accessibility: The site is generally accessible, with paved paths suitable for walking tours.

In summary, Colonial Park Cemetery stands as a vital historical and cultural resource, uniquely reflecting Savannah’s colonial origins, its growth through early American history, and the impact of both war and disease on the community. It remains a solemn yet beautiful place to explore Savannah’s heritage and pay respects to those who lived and died in this storied Southern city.