The Garden Of Good And Evil - Bonaventure Cemetery

Originally called Evergreen Cemetery, Bonaventure was established on 70 acres of the original Bonaventure Plantation, when the city’s graveyards were getting too full. The cemetery was design in Victorian style with grassy areas and curved pathways. The City of Savannah purchased Evergreen Cemetery in 1907 and re-designed it. Old trees draped in moss lining the roads, unique cemetery art and architecture and the folklore associated with site and the people buried here makes the sight a tourist attraction.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

If you see a statue of an angel, it shows that the deceased was welcomed into heaven safely in the afterlife.

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Elaborate graves of four children in the shape of cradles. Only half of the children in the 1800’s made it to their 5th birthday.

Wrough iron fencing

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The military burial sections

Sculptor, John Walz created this grave marker for Gracie Watson, a 6-year old Savannah hotel manager’s popular daughter that was buried her over 125 years ago. Gracie died of pneumonia and her legend grew over time and she became more popular with people rubbing the sculpture and leaving presents. The historical society had a fence installed around her monument after the monument has some repair work done.

More of the cemetery artwork

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Savannah is known as one of the most haunted cities in America, an Bonaventure Cemetery is know as the most haunted sites within Savannah.

One of the many mausoleums

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The eerily beautiful gothic cemetery with rows of weathered gravestones.

The grave of songwriter Johnny Mercer

After fans of the book and movie ‘Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil’ trampled the family plot to take a photo of this statue Bird Girl, the family decided to move it to The Telfair Museum where it remains safely on display.

What you should know:

• You can wander the cemetery on your own for free or you reserve a guided tour.

• The cemetery art here is incredible.

• There is ample parking on-site.

• You can spend a couple of hours to an entire day exploring the nearly 160 acres depending on you level of interest.

• Public restrooms are available.

• The best time to visit is in March, with azaleas and wisteria blooming.

• Check website for operating days and times.

• You can walk or drive through the cemetery.

• The cemetery’s oldest resident is Harriet Tattnall (1802), when the land was still a plantation.

Location: 330 Bonaventure Road, Thunderbolt, GA. 31404

For more information: Bonaventure Cemetery