Riverside Cemetery, historic cemetery in Jackson, Tennessee, United States
Riverside Cemetery is a burial ground in Jackson, Tennessee, established in 1824 to replace an earlier graveyard. Today it holds about 4,000 graves with markers ranging from simple to ornate, and some sections still contain relocated remains from the original cemetery that served the town before this one was created.
The cemetery was established in 1824 after Jackson became the county seat in 1822 and needed a new burial ground. Mary Jane Butler, the daughter of a local doctor, was the first person buried there in September of that year, and her grave remains one of the oldest readable markers.
The cemetery reflects how Jackson residents have honored their dead across generations through varied memorial styles. The different grave markers show the importance families placed on remembering their loved ones and staying connected to the community's roots.
The grounds are easy to reach on foot, situated just south of the county courthouse and enclosed by a red brick wall. Well-maintained pathways and shaded areas under trees make walking through manageable, whether you are searching for a specific grave or looking for a quiet spot to sit.
About 200 graves on the cemetery grounds have no markers, including soldiers from the war and formerly enslaved people. These unmarked graves tell stories of people whose names were never recorded but whose lives were part of Jackson's history.
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