Mount Olivet Cemetery

Mount Olivet Cemetery is a sprawling burial ground with stone monuments, grave markers, and a neo-Gothic chapel located about 3 kilometers (2 miles) east of downtown Nashville. The grounds span over 200 acres and include designated sections for military service members alongside other burial areas.

Established in 1856, the cemetery became a significant burial ground during and after the Civil War. A dedicated section called Confederate Circle holds about 1,500 soldiers from local battles, an area created through the efforts of a memorial organization.

Walk through the grounds and you'll notice graves of Tennessee governors, senators, and military figures whose decisions shaped the state. The landscape itself tells stories of the people who led, fought, and lived through the region's pivotal moments.

The grounds are open during daylight hours and accessible from Lebanon Road on the east side of the city. Allow time to walk through the different sections, as the cemetery is quite large and paths wind through the burial areas.

A memorial organization purchased a large plot within the cemetery to honor soldiers who fell in nearby Civil War battles. This dedicated effort created a separate space that reflects how the community chose to remember and respect these fallen service members.