Information
Landmark: Myrtle Hill CemeteryCity: Rome City
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Rome City, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Rome, Georgia, rests high on one of the city’s seven hills, where the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers meet to form the Coosa, its stone paths winding through a landscape rich with history and quiet views of the water below, while the cemetery, founded in 1857, ranks among Georgia’s oldest and most essential, with weathered marble headstones that catch the afternoon sun.Spread across six sunlit terraces holding more than 20,000 graves, it stands as both a resting location and a living record of memory, heritage, and quiet reflection, therefore shaded paths lined with weathered stone markers, Civil War tales, famous graves, and solemn monuments make the cemetery a cherished local landmark and a draw for visitors across the country, under certain circumstances Just so you know, One, while myrtle Hill once held Fort Stovall, a Confederate stronghold built during the Civil War to guard the city of Rome, its earthworks rising above the river.In 1857, the land became a public cemetery, its high ground and sweeping views making it a guarded choice at a time when floods often swallowed the low-lying burial sites, likewise before long, it grew into the region’s main cemetery, where rows of weathered stone markers stretched toward the horizon.During the Civil War, Rome’s swift rivers and busy factories turned it into a prize worth holding, simultaneously union troops moved into the city in 1864, and the nearby hills-Myrtle Hill among them-served as key points in its defense, their slopes dotted with artillery, fairly Civil War veterans from both Union and Confederate ranks rest here, joined by townspeople and community leaders from the 1800s and 1900s, their names carved into weathered stone, on top of that number two.Not surprisingly, Myrtle Hill Cemetery’s design and landscape embody the 19th-century “rural cemetery movement,” with gentle terraces for burial plots, curving paths that invite a sluggish amble, and ornamental trees casting dappled shade, at the same time the cemetery climbs the hillside in terraces, each cut into the earth and linked by worn stone steps and narrow walkways.From the upper terraces, you can behold downtown Rome spread out below and watch the rivers merge, a quiet scene that invites you to linger, meanwhile more than thirty-five kinds of trees thrive in the cemetery, including rare species and ones you won’t find naturally in Georgia, like a silvery-leaved olive.A mix of wildflowers and towering oaks gives the location its quiet charm, making it a spot worth studying and pausing to reflect, in turn visitors can wander through tree tours in traveler, or pull up an educational guide online-complete with crisp leaf photos and notes on each species.Number three, simultaneously among the notable burials is Ellen Axson Wilson, First Lady from 1913 to 1914 and wife of President Woodrow Wilson, remembered for her graceful presence and love of painting blooming gardens, more or less She grew up in Rome after being born in Savannah, Georgia, and earned a reputation for her artistry and for driving social change, simultaneously she was laid to rest at Myrtle Hill in 1914, the scent of pine drifting through the air, making her the only U. S, along with first Lady ever buried in Georgia.● Charles W. Charles W, to boot called “America’s Known Soldier,” Charles Graves fought as a World War I infantryman and was chosen to stand for every known U. S, what’s more soldier who died in the war, maybe As it turns out, In 1922, they brought his body home from France, draped in the flag, as part of a nationwide memorial.● Nathan Bedford Forrest Monument While Forrest himself is not buried here, the cemetery contains a Confederate monument that honors him and the soldiers under his command, equally important following heated public debate and his mother’s request, they laid him to rest again at Myrtle Hill in 1923, where a stone monument still stands in tribute to him and every veteran.● Augustus R. Nathan Bedford Forrest Monument - though Forrest isn’t buried here, the cemetery holds a weathered Confederate memorial honoring him and the soldiers who served under his command.● John W, at the same time it captures the Lost Cause sentiment you’d expect in an early 1900s Southern graveyard, with marble angels watching over weathered headstones.Augustus R, and wright was a Georgia politician and Confederate congressman who left his mark on the state’s politics before and during the Civil War, often speaking in crowded halls thick with the smell of lamp oil.John W, his name etched in bold black ink, equally important maddox, a U. S, in conjunction with congressman and local judge, helped shape Georgia’s laws and national policy in the late 1800s, his voice carrying through packed courthouse halls.Number four, in conjunction with one of Myrtle Hill’s most notable spots is Veterans Plaza, where flags ripple in the breeze just steps from the Tomb of America’s Known Soldier.In this part of the cemetery stands a bronze Doughboy statue, its helmet catching the afternoon light, honoring the soldiers of World War I, likewise thousands of engraved bricks honor veterans from every branch and war, each name etched deep into warm, sunlit clay.Signs share Charles Graves’ story-his life, his sacrifice-and explain the deeper significance of the title he was given, etched in crisp black letters on weathered wood, furthermore five.Myrtle Hill isn’t just a cemetery-it’s a area where history comes alive and the community gathers under the shade of heritage oak trees, while each October, the city puts on the “Where Romans Rest” tour, with volunteers in worn leather sandals and flowing robes bringing to life the notable figures buried there.Believe it or not, These tours bring to life the stories of Rome’s former residents, from the bustle of market stalls to the echoes of grand civic halls, and show how their work shaped both the city and the nation, subsequently the cemetery sits along Rome’s Heritage Trail, linking it by shaded walking paths and story-filled signs to landmarks like the Clock Tower, the Chieftains Museum-once Major Ridge’s home-and the heart of downtown.Number six, in conjunction with you can visit the site at South Broad Street and Myrtle Street, just a short saunter from downtown Rome where the brick sidewalks catch the afternoon sun.It’s open to everyone, year-round, from sunrise until the last light fades, besides you can park along Myrtle Street or in nearby lots, including the ones by the Kingfisher Trailhead and the quiet stone mausoleum entrance.The mobile app uses GPS to guide you through notable graves, towering trees, monuments, and other historic spots, turning your wander into a richer, more personal tour, consequently visitors often snap photos of the antique stone walls and join educational events or seasonal tours.Seven, at the same time myrtle Hill isn’t just a resting location-it’s a hillside rich with memory, where the scent of pine drifts over graves marked by personal stories, shared community roots, and threads of national history.Walking past carved headstones, grand family mausoleums, solemn military memorials, and shaded garden terraces turns a stroll through the grounds into a quietly reflective experience, consequently many monuments here show Victorian and Gothic touches, from solemn angels and carved urns to tall obelisks and weeping willows swaying gently over 19th‑century graves.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-03
