Colonial Park Cemetery

The basics

Though this burial ground is in the heart of Savannah, you won’t find Civil War-era headstones as Colonial Park Cemetery ceased internment in 1853. Instead, you’ll see graves from the 1750s through a century onward, including those who died in the Yellow Fever epidemic of the 1820s and many who died in Savannah’s dueling era. Some famous headstones include the first president of Georgia, Archibald Bulloch, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Button Gwinnett.

With a century of history contained beneath the cemetery’s grounds alone, it’s no surprise that the area is allegedly haunted. There are ghost stories galore about Colonial Park Cemetery, and many haunted history tours throughout the city visit the site. Those who prefer the strictly historical significance of the cemetery, or simply the beauty of these old Savannah hallmarks, will find other walking, driving, and self-guided tours stopping at Colonial Park Cemetery, too.

Things to know before you go

• Pets are permitted but must be kept on a leash at all times.

• The cemetery is fenced; entrances are located on the south and north ends.

• There is a small public playground at the southern end of the cemetery.

How to get there

Colonial Park Cemetery is located at 200 Abercorn Street in the north part of the Historic District. The fare-free DOT service has two stops near the cemetery: one at York Lane and Drayton Street and the other at Perry Lane and Drayton Street. Paid bus lines Nos. 11 and 14 also stop at Colonial Park Cemetery. You can walk the two blocks from the cemetery to Chippewa Square, the site of the Forrest Gump bench.

When to get there

Colonial Park Cemetery is open to the public, and hours vary by season. November–March typically has an earlier closing time than March–November. Limited artificial lighting means your best bet to view the inscriptions on these historical stones is when the sun shines. This 6-acre (2.4-hectare) cemetery has more than 9,000 graves, so bring bottled water and a hat if you plan to read the dozens of headstones under the hot Georgia sun.

Cemetery sightseeing

Colonial Park Cemetery is one of the oldest in Savannah, though it might not be the most popular. Bookworms, music lovers, and those who appreciate the elegant design of Southern graveyards should also pay a visit to Bonaventure Cemetery. Located 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) east of downtown, this cemetery on the Wilmington River is the resting place of lyricist Johnny Mercer and a setting in the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.