Old City Cemetery (Jacksonville, Florida) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old City Cemetery |
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The entrance to Old City Cemetery
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| Location | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Built | 1852 |
The Old City Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida is a very old and important burial ground. It was started in 1852, which means it's over 170 years old! After the American Civil War, many soldiers who fought for the Confederacy were buried here. Because of its long history, the Jacksonville Historic Landmarks Commission has officially recognized it as a special historic place in Jacksonville. A group called the United Daughters of the Confederacy helped improve the cemetery. They put up a historical plaque in 1949 and built a wall at the entrance in 1954.
Famous People Buried Here
Many important people are buried at the Old City Cemetery. Here are some of them:
- Byron Kilbourn (1801-1870): He was a surveyor and a railroad leader. He also helped found the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and served as its mayor.
- Jacob Brock (1810-1876): Known as Captain Brock, he was a famous steamboat captain. He operated his boats on the St. Johns River.
- Joseph Finnegan (1814-1885): He was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War.
- John Freeman Young (1820-1885): He was the second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. He is famous for translating the Christmas carol Silent Night, Holy Night from German to English.
- Francis P. Fleming (1841-1908): He served as the 15th Governor of Florida.
- John Claudius “Claude” L'Engle (1868-1919): He was a Democratic Representative from Florida in the U.S. Congress.
- Dr. Alexander H. Darnes (1846-1894): He was the first African-American physician in Jacksonville and the second in the entire state of Florida.
- Laura Adorkor "Mother Kofi" Kofi (1893-1928): She was the founder of the African Universal Church.
- Alice Nunn (1927-1988): She was an actress best known for her role as "Large Marge" in the movie Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
Challenges and Upkeep
Even though it's one of Jacksonville's oldest and most historic cemeteries, it has faced some tough times. The area around the cemetery has become more developed with city buildings. Because of this and not enough security, some gravestones have been damaged or pushed over.
Gallery
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An unknown Confederate grave in the cemetery's Confederate section.
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Confederate brigadier general Joseph Finnegan.
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An enclosed grave area within the cemetery.
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A Confederate grave among others.
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A plaque dedicated to the wall donated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
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The main pathway through the cemetery.
