Laurel Grove Cemeter(ies)

Less heralded than Bonaventure Cemetery on Whitemarsh Island, but nearly as beautiful and free from almost any tourist presence, the twin cemeteries of Laurel Grove North and Laurel Grove South are nice places to spend a quiet afternoon among the dead.

Gate Laurel Grave

Laurel Grove was established in 1853, after the more central Colonial Park Cemetery was deemed too full and closed to further burials. With plenty of room on Savannah’s western side, the city fathers split their new cemetery into two separate sections: north for whites, south for blacks.

They’re really two separate cemeteries, with different entrances. We didn’t know that, and spent a long time walking around Laurel Grove North, looking for a southern section. But we never found anything, and instead spent the afternoon admiring the gorgeous tombstones clearly erected for rich families. There was nobody there, save for one group of Girl Scouts hovering around the grave of Juliette Gordon Low.

The next day, having being corrected by amused friends, we drove to Laurel Grove South. Just as haunting and beautiful as its twin to the north, but completely different in feeling, without nearly as many glorious, towering monuments. Nor as many Girl Scouts. We might have preferred the southern section, though, for the melancholy and humble vibe of its anonymous slave section.

If you’re looking for a lovely, desolate place to spend a few hours in Savannah, Laurel Grove might fit the bill. I’m not sure why, but visiting cemeteries always brings me a sense of solace.

Pictures of Laurel Grove North

  • Baby Land Savannah
  • Aisle 9 Cemetery
  • Angel Face
  • Angel Laurel Cemetery
  • baby land
  • Bling Grave
  • Cage Grave
  • Cemetery Gate
  • Cemetery Savannah 1
  • Confederate Graves Savannah
  • Dead Girl Scout
  • Egypy Grave
  • Grave Juliette Gordon Low
  • Grave Unknown Soldier
  • Grove Yard
  • Handle the Grave
  • Hang in there Angel
  • Juliette Gordon Low Grave
  • Laurel Grove Cemetery
  • Little Grave
  • Marines Cemetery
  • My Husband
  • My Wife
  • Open Grave
  • Real Angel
  • Sad Girl Scout
  • Savannah Cemetery 1
  • Soldier Confederate Uniform
  • Very First Web URL
  • Yellow Bush

Laurel Grove Cemetery South

  • Savannah Obelisk
  • cemetery
  • Fake Flowers 1
  • Gates Savannah
  • Heart Stones
  • Laurel Cemetery South
  • Little Roots Guys
  • No Strangers in Savannah
  • Slave Cemetery
  • Slaves Burial
  • Speed Smart Funeral
  • Stone Roses 1
  • Strange Grave
  • Three Grave Stones

This Post Has 7 Comments

  1. Avatar of Dave
    Dave

    Thanks for the photos – for some reason I have never ventured to this cemetery, even though it has always hovered on my to-do list.

  2. Avatar of Deb Baker
    Deb Baker

    Hi, guys! Gorgeous photos!! Now we must get to Laurel Grove! Will npbe in Savannah in exactly two weeks. LOVE Savannah and love your assorted stories :)Deb from Michigan.

  3. Avatar of Isa
    Isa

    As I told you a few weeks ago on facebook, your guide was our favorite book when we visited Savannah, and we discovered this cemetary thanks to you: it was wonderful. Thanks again!

  4. Avatar of KP
    KP

    Home Sweet Home!!  No place else in the world like it!!!

Leave a Reply