Founded in 1829 and expanded in 1877, Live Oak Cemetery features many original markers. It is a contributing property to the Selma Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s noted for the dozen or so Victorian monuments in the cemetery. It earned its name after Colonel Dawson donated 80 Live Oaks and 80 Magnolia trees to be planted in the cemetery.
Mary Elizabeth Myrick is one of the founders of Phi Mu sorority. Born to a prominent family, she was one of the few women who received a college education during the 1800s. She attended Wesleyan College when she was only sixteen. For a fuller bio, you can read about her on the Phi Mu website.
She is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus, Georgia.
Located in Mount Hope Cemetery in Lumpkin County, Georgia, there is a beautifully handcrafted monument designed by Thomas Scanlin. I am unsure of who sculpted his design.
Scanlin, an artist who ran Studio Jewelers, created jewelry in downtown Dahlonega until 2019. Outside of being a jeweler, he collected the art of Howard Finster.
The monument consists of panels of Emily Dickinson poetry and motifs of animals and plant life.
These photos do not give this monument Justice. If you are in Dahlonega, visit Mount Hope Cemetery to see this in person.
The corners
Some of the motifs
Two of the panels featuring poetry by Emily Dickinson
Established in the 1870s, the Silver Brook Cemetery is the second city cemetery established by the town of Anderson. It’s a 40 acre cemetery with over 15,000 burials. It is at capacity, and no more plots are available for purchase.
The cemetery features several Victorian monuments.
The Greenberry McCalla grave in the Old Stone Church Cemetery in Catoosa County highlights a few different examples of Victorian symbolism.
The grasping hands means the person was married when they passed away. In this case, Nancy McCalla outlived her husband by 28 years.
The closed book resting on the top of the grave means a long life, well lived.
