Category Archives: Symbolism

-Georgia, Black History, Cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places, Symbolism

Davis Monument at Laurel Grove South, Georgia

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Full view of sculpture

There’s only one Victorian sculpture in Laurel Grove South Cemetery, the historic Black cemetery in Savannah. It happens to be a John Walz, of Gracie fame. I am unable to confirm much about John and Clara Davis. At one point, I read they were shopkeepers, but I cannot recall the source.

John Walz was a German-American sculptor who moved to Savannah after visiting to help install monuments his company made for the Telfair Museum. My understanding is that no one is certain how many monuments he made for cemeteries, but it’s well-above 80.

-Georgia, Cemeteries, Symbolism

McDonald Angel at Catholic Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia

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This is one of the John Walz monuments in Catholic Cemetery. Notice the hallmark cherubs and lettering at the base of the coping.

-Georgia, Cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places, Save Outdoor Sculpture, Symbolism

Louisa Porter monument at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia

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Louisa Alexander Porter (1807-1888) was from a prominent family in Georgia. A generous philanthropist, she helped fund the beginning of the “Refuge for the Homeless” which provided housing for homeless women and children. The Louisa Porter Foundation honors her legacy.

Her monument, designed by Antonio Caniparoli, is made of Carrara marble and is listed on the Smithsonian Saving Outdoor Sculpture database. It is in Laurel Grove North Cemetery.

-Georgia, Cemeteries, Symbolism

Resurrection Angel at Oak Grove Cemetery-St. Marys, Georgia

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Every time I visit St. Marys, I photograph the Resurrection Angel, so named for the words etched at the bottom, “Awaiting the Resurrection.”

-Georgia, Cemeteries, Symbolism

Granville Rodgers, 1907-1908-Folkston, Georgia

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Granville Rodgers was the son of J.W. and Kathleen Rodgers. His final resting place is in Pineview Cemetery, Charlton County, Georgia.

-Mississippi, Cemeteries, Symbolism

The Turning Angel-Natchez, Mississippi

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The Turning Angel watches over the graves of five young women and girls who were killed in a blast at the Natchez Drug Company on March 14, 1908. The owner of the company placed to have the angel, also known as a scribe angel, over the headstones. Luella Booth, 17, Ada White, 19, Mary Worthy, 12, Inez Netterville, 17, and Carrie Murray, 22, lost their lives in the explosion.

The Turning Angel got its name because the angel sits near a curve in a road around the cemetery. At night, drivers would insist the angel was turning when their headlights lit the angel.