Elmwood Cemetery, Cemetery in Birmingham, United States

Elmwood Cemetery, also known as Elm Leaf Cemetery, is a large burial ground in Birmingham, Alabama, with about 130,000 graves spread over rolling hills. The grounds are divided into many blocks, with a mix of headstones, monuments, and mausoleums, including a section called Babyland for infants.

Elmwood Cemetery was established in 1900 as Elm Leaf Cemetery by a group of fraternal organizations and was renamed in 1906. It grew over the years and became the most prominent burial place in the city, and in 1970 it was opened to all races after a federal lawsuit.

The cemetery is a place of remembrance for many local families, and its grounds include sections for infants and a cremation garden. Visitors may notice the variety of monuments, from simple markers to large obelisks, reflecting different eras and traditions.

The cemetery has a main entrance across from 6th Avenue Southwest and a secondary entrance on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Visitors can walk or drive through the grounds, but should be mindful of uneven terrain and respect ongoing services.

In the late 1930s, sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez created concrete sculptures for the cemetery, including a palm tree, a bridge, and a fallen log bench. These works are easy to miss but add a touch of art to the landscape.