Mount Holly Cemetery | Little Rock

Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock is often described as the “Westminster Abbey of Arkansas” because of its deep historical significance and the number of prominent figures buried there. Established in 1843, it is the oldest existing cemetery in the city and one of the most atmospheric historic sites in Arkansas. Beyond its role as a burial ground, it is a place where history, architecture, and quiet beauty come together.

Historical Background

Mount Holly was laid out during Little Rock’s early growth in the mid-19th century, and it quickly became the final resting place for many of the state’s most influential citizens. Over time, it developed into a carefully landscaped garden cemetery, reflecting a Victorian trend where cemeteries doubled as park-like spaces for reflection and strolling.

Notable Burials

Walking through Mount Holly, visitors find the graves of governors, senators, judges, Confederate generals, artists, writers, and cultural leaders. A few names stand out:

David O. Dodd, a Confederate boy spy executed at age 17, remembered with a large monument.

Governor Elias Conway and several other Arkansas governors.

Confederate generals like Patrick Cleburne and Thomas Hindman.

Poet John Gould Fletcher, a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Charlotte Andrews Stephens, Little Rock’s first African American teacher.

The concentration of such figures makes the cemetery a vivid capsule of Arkansas’s political, military, and cultural past.

Architecture and Monuments

The cemetery is as much an outdoor sculpture garden as a burial ground. Elaborate Victorian markers, towering obelisks, angel statues, wrought iron fencing, and mausoleums stand among old oak trees and magnolias. Many monuments were designed with intricate symbolism - broken columns for lives cut short, lambs for children, and urns draped with stone cloth for mourning.

Atmosphere and Landscape

Shaded by centuries-old trees, Mount Holly feels hushed and reflective even though it sits in downtown Little Rock. The winding paths pass through rows of weathered headstones, some leaning slightly with age, others bright with newly placed flowers. In spring, azaleas and dogwoods bring bursts of color among the gray stones, while in autumn the falling leaves cover the pathways, adding to the sense of timelessness.

Cultural Role

Mount Holly is more than a cemetery - it has long been a community landmark. For decades, it has hosted events like the Mount Holly Tour, where costumed actors portray historical figures at their graves, bringing history to life for visitors. The cemetery also serves as a green retreat, with locals stopping to walk quietly, study inscriptions, or admire the artistry of the monuments.

Visiting Experience

The cemetery is open daily and is free to enter, welcoming both casual visitors and history enthusiasts. Many people explore with a self-guided map, while others prefer to wander and discover names and stories unexpectedly. Photography is common, as the interplay of light and shadow across stonework makes for striking images.

Why It Matters

Mount Holly Cemetery is not just a burial ground but a living record of Arkansas’s story. Each name, statue, and epitaph carries echoes of the state’s struggles, achievements, and evolving identity. Visiting it feels like walking through a history book set in stone, softened by the shade of trees and the passage of time.

Mount Holly remains one of Little Rock’s quiet treasures - a solemn yet beautiful space where Arkansas’s past is written into the landscape.