Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery is a burial ground in Thunderbolt, Georgia, set along a river bend and shaded by old oaks. Paths wind between headstones and statues scattered across gentle slopes that reach down to the waterfront.

The site served as a private family burial ground for the Mullryne family from 1760 before opening to the public in the 1840s. Savannah assumed control in the early 20th century and gradually expanded the area for additional burials.

The grounds take their name from the French Bon Aventure, meaning good fortune, inherited from the original estate. Many graves display Italian marble work and Irish Celtic crosses, reflecting the European roots of early settler families.

The entrance sits on Bonaventure Road, and main avenues are accessible by car or on foot. Some older sections have unpaved trails, so sturdy shoes are helpful in wet weather.

Novelist Conrad Aiken, born in Savannah, chose a bench within the grounds as his preferred resting place for his ashes, where visitors often leave martini glasses in tribute. His parents also rest here after his father caused a family tragedy in 1901.

Location: Thunderbolt

Inception: 1846

Address: 330 Bonaventure Road, Thunderbolt, GA 31404

Phone: +19124124687

Website: http://bonaventurehistorical.org

GPS coordinates: 32.04729,-81.04369

Latest update: December 11, 2025 23:19