Georgia Writers Association

The Historic Oakland Cemetery: Speaking Stones

By Cathy J. Kaemmerlen

The History Press, Charleston, SC, 2007

This well-researched book will reward the reader who wants to expand his or her knowledge of the history of Atlanta. History, of course, consists not only of wars and treaties and dates, but people, and it is their lives that fascinate us. We’re lucky to have a professional storyteller to look beneath these Oakland stones and find what they have to tell us about the famous, the near-famous, the tragic, the rogues, the heroes, the industrious, and the founding fathers of Atlanta that lie there. {mospagebreak}

Oakland, Cathy Kaemmerlen says, is full of beautiful speaking stones that tell us the stories of the past, of the people who have come before us and helped to build. They are the links to the past. Those who abide there are silent witnesses to what has gone before. They remind us that we are not alone, that we have all passed this way before.

Oakland, founded in 1850, is the very model of the Victorian garden cemetery. In that era, cemeteries were treated as recreational parks, landscaped and maintained as such. Citizens took Sunday outings there, bringing picnics and staying the afternoon. There have been those who find cemeteries peaceful and soothing to visit—one that comes to mind is the late Mississippi writer Willie Morris, who wrote of his cemetery visits, sometimes accompanied by his dog Skip. Another was Atlanta historian Franklin Garrett. Early on he fell in love with Oakland, and became the youngest member of the Atlanta Historical society at the age of twenty-one. He had a keen lifelong interest in Oakland and, along with his wife, is buried there today.

The two most famous inhabitants are perhaps Margaret Mitchell, called “the Author” by tour guides, and Robert Tyre (Bobby) Jones, called “the Golfer.” And according to guides, they are the ones who attract the pilgrims. Some leave golf balls and other paraphernalia on Jones’ grave. (There was no word if anyone leaves—say—manuscripts—on Mitchell’s, though her publisher did send tulip bulbs for planting.)

These names may be shining lights, but in Oakland, mythological statuary, beautifully kept garden spaces, and other names reward the visitor—names such as the Rich brothers, founders of Rich’s department store; Martha Lumpkin, the governor’s daughter for whom Marthasville was named; and confederate General Gordon. Atlanta and Georgia names you may recognize are Norcross, Hape (Hapeville), Ben Hill, and Bleckley.

The Historic Oakland Foundation now assists the city of Atlanta in raising funds for the beautification and restoration of the park and maintaining the wonderful monuments. The park, they say, is a treasure which will benefit future generations and must be preserved.

Cathy J. Kaemmerlen, professional actress, dancer, and storyteller, is also the author of General Sherman and the Georgia Belles. Her website is www.tattlingtales.com,