Category Archives: National Register of Historic Places

-Georgia, Cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places

Herschbach Marker at Bonaventure Cemetery-Savannah, Georgia

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Joseph (1823-1906) and Clara (1830-1905) Herschbach were German immigrants. Joseph was a cigar maker.

John Walz made their marker.

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

Wheless Children Monument at Bonaventure Cemetery-Savannah, Georgia

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Memorialized as two cherubs are Pearce (1892-1895) and Julia (1904-1906) Wheless. This was carved by John Walz and is located in Bonaventure Cemetery.

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

Hugh and Louise Inman markers-Atlanta, Georgia

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Fulton County
Louise Inman, 1883-1888
Hugh Inman, 1879-1881

Louise and Hugh Inman were born to Hugh and Josephine Inman. The Inman family was a prominent Atlanta family. Being a family of means, they were able to employ someone to create death masks of their children.

Death masks are masks made of wax or plaster created after death as a permanent portrait of the deceased. Death masks appear different than other sculptural elements on cemetery markers because the features appear unique from mass-produced markers.

-South Carolina, Cemeteries, Churches and Temples, National Register of Historic Places, Symbolism

Circular Congregational Church Burial Ground-Charleston, South Carolina

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Reverend James Parker, d. 1742

Founded in 1681, the Circular Congregational Church is one of the oldest churches in continual use in Charleston. The burial ground, also known as graveyard since it is next to the church, is the oldest one in the city. The first burial occurred in 1695.

George Hesket, 1690-1847

Many of the grave markers are made of slate and carved in New England. The tympanic markers illustrate the evolution of grave symbolism. Skull and crossbones were part of the earlier designs, but they evolved to angels and portraiture. The graveyard contains the most slate markers in a Southern state.

Reverend Guliemi Hutson, 1720-1761
Solomon Milner, 1727-1757

David Stoddard, d. 1769
-Georgia, Cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places, Symbolism

Old City Cemetery-Sandersville, Georgia

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Founded in 1836 and expanded in 1868, the Old City Cemetery is located in a 4.5 acre plot of land near the town center. The cemetery features several different types of markers that represent the change in marker styles. For a smaller cemetery, it contains several Victorian monuments. I featured many of those here.

It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Daisy Evans (1906-1908)-A common element in Victorian grave markers is a human figure, child or adult, dropping petals below. While I can’t find a consensus on the meaning, it seems to represent a heavenly reminder to those who are earthbound.

George Clinton Evans (1901-1903)-A common motif on Victorian markers is the cherub removing the shroud from a coffin. This represents hope as the shroud of grief is lifted.
William Howard Evans (1909-1913-Etched at the bottom, it says “Grand Pa’s Pet.” Scrolls represent the documentation of our lives in Heaven.
Ernestine Artman Roberts (1844-1882)-This is one of the larger zinc or “zinkies” I’ve photographed in the state of Georgia. Monumental Bronze Company in Bridgeport, CT made these markers from 1874-1914, and they can be found all over the United States.
Emily Evans (1897-1899)-This headstone is in desperate cleaning to bring out the details of the baby shoes and empty stockings.
Walter Gallaher (1878-1916)-Conch shells placed on a grave were popular during the Victorian era, and they represented a Christian’s journey through life and the church.
Dr. William Haynes (1797-1856)-Haynes was a local preacher, doctor, and high level Mason. The compass and carpenter’s square with the G is one symbol of the Masons. It symbolizes the interaction between the mind and matter.
-Georgia, Churches and Temples, National Register of Historic Places

Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin-Sharon, Georgia

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Built in 1883, the Church of the Purification is tied to the oldest Catholic congregation in Georgia. Started in 1790 by several families from Maryland, the congregation began in Locust Grove in Taliaferro County. This church is the third building of the church. The church no longer hosts regular services.