Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Historic cemetery in Raleigh, US
Historic Oakwood Cemetery is a burial ground in Raleigh spanning 102 acres of rolling hills, shaded by mature oaks, cedars, and flowering trees with a small stream running through the grounds. The landscape contains separate sections for different groups of residents as well as individual family plots marked by various monuments and headstones of different designs and sizes.
The cemetery was founded in 1869 by the Raleigh Cemetery Association and grew significantly when a large soldiers' section was moved to the grounds from another location in 1867. This addition shaped how the site developed as a memorial space for the region.
The cemetery reflects Raleigh's history as generations of citizens from different social backgrounds rest here, including prominent figures and everyday residents. The gravestones and monuments show different architectural styles that document how the community's tastes and beliefs changed over more than a century and a half.
The cemetery can be visited during daylight hours and its entrance is located near downtown Raleigh, making it easy to reach. Wide paths and relatively level areas make walking through the grounds comfortable, with parking available near the entrance.
One distinctive feature is a large military section with identical stone markers added in the 1980s that look like those found in standardized military cemeteries. These uniform markers stand out from the varied and personal monuments throughout the rest of the burial ground.
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