Colonial Park Cemetery

Cemetery · Savannah

1

@atlasobscura

"The Colonial Park cemetery in Savannah has a rich and macabre history. Built in 1750, the cemetery contains many of Savannah’s earliest settlers, including 700 victims of the great yellow fever epidemic of 1820, all of whom were interred in a mass grave. It is said that the actual number of Savannahians who fell to the plague numbered 666, but the total was rounded up to curtail any mention of the beast. The cemetery also served as the city’s dueling grounds from 1740 until 1877. Savannah was spared from the total destruction of Sherman’s March to the Sea during the Civil War, when the city was surrendered without incident as the Rebel Army retreated across the Savannah River into South Carolina. Later, Sherman presented the city to Abraham Lincoln as a Christmas gift in 1864. But the occupying Union soldiers are reputed to have left their mark in Savannah in a unique and unusual way — by subtly altering the gravestones in the Colonial cemetery. Along the east wall of the cemetery lie dozens of gravestones which, according to local legend, the soldiers dug up and displaced. They changed the dates of many on the headstones with their bayonets; one man living to the ripe old age of 421, his neighbor living 544 years, and another man’s son was born 1000 years before his father. The reality is that many graves were exhumed and moved during Savannah’s many yellow fever and malaria epidemics when deaths exceeded the available space in the “Old Burying Ground.” Unfortunately, the cemetery has been the target of vandals for centuries, and local tour guides love to blame “General Sherman’s Bummers.” One of the most historic and haunted places in one of America’s most beguiling cities." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

13 U.S. Cemeteries Where Apparitions Abound
brookem4480 (Atlas Obscura User)

200 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31401 Get directions

savannahga.gov

1 Postcard

See full details

More Places For You

Mansion on Forsyth Park

Hotel · Savannah

Experience a stunning Victorian Romanesque mansion with plush lodging, a spa, and an art gallery, all wrapped in genuine Southern hospitality.

2 Postcards

The Collins Quarter

Restaurant · Savannah

Collins Quarter blends cozy café vibes with a vibrant bar atmosphere, serving up stunning Australian-inspired dishes and superb coffee in Savannah.

7 Postcards

Common Thread

Restaurant · Savannah

Nestled in a charming Victorian home, Common Thread offers a vibrant atmosphere with elevated Southern dishes and exceptional service, making dining here a must.

14 Postcards

Leopold's Ice Cream

Ice cream shop · Savannah

This charming Savannah ice cream parlor boasts a nostalgic marble soda fountain, offering a delightful mix of rich, flavorful ice creams and inviting decor that makes it a must-visit.

5 Postcards

Fox and Fig Cafe

Vegan restaurant · Savannah

This charming café serves up a creative array of plant-based dishes and unique coffees in a cozy, dog-friendly setting.

1 Postcard

Telfair Museums

Art museum · Savannah

Explore Savannah’s Telfair Museums, a trio of art and history sites blending classical elegance, modern creativity, and deep cultural narratives—all walkable and worth the $20 ticket for a week of discovery.

3 Postcards

Hyatt Regency Savannah

Hotel · Savannah

Experience riverfront luxury at this upscale hotel, featuring spacious rooms, a heated indoor pool, and top-notch dining, all steps from Savannah’s vibrant River Street.

4 Postcards

Late Air

Restaurant · Savannah

Late Air is a cozy Savannah gem where you can savor seasonally inspired small plates and a rotating selection of natural wines in a chic, laid-back setting.

8 Postcards

The Alida, Savannah, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Hotel · Savannah

Nestled along the scenic Savannah River, this chic hotel boasts airy rooms, a stylish restaurant, and a rooftop bar perfect for sunset cocktails.

7 Postcards

Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah

Hotel · Savannah

Nestled in Savannah's Historic District, this upscale hotel blends vintage charm with modern luxury, featuring a rooftop pool, fabulous dining, and top-notch service.

14 Postcards