Randolph Cemetery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Randolph Cemetery
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Western terminus of Elmwood Ave., Columbia, South Carolina |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1872, 1899 |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001573 |
| Added to NRHP | January 20, 1995 |
Randolph Cemetery is an important historic cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina. It was created for African-Americans in 1872 and made bigger in 1899. The cemetery is named after Benjamin F. Randolph, an important leader who worked to protect African-Americans. He was reburied here in 1871. A special memorial was built to honor him and other African-American leaders. This cemetery is home to the graves of eight state lawmakers from the Reconstruction Era. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, recognizing its historical value.
History of Randolph Cemetery
Randolph Cemetery was the first cemetery created specifically for Columbia's African-American community. Before this, African-Americans were often buried in a public burial ground called Lower Cemetery.
The cemetery started with three acres of land bought from Elmwood Cemetery in 1872. An extra acre was purchased in 1899. Today, the cemetery covers about six acres.
Over time, the cemetery became overgrown and neglected. Many families who had loved ones buried there moved away. This was often part of the Great Migration, when many African-Americans moved from the Southern United States to other parts of the country. By the mid-1900s, the cemetery looked like a wild, unused area.
Saving the Cemetery
In 1959, the city of Columbia started clearing the land with large machines. This was part of a city plan to improve urban areas. However, a local resident named Minnie Simons Williams stopped the work. She told the city how important and historic the cemetery was.
Minnie Williams, along with the families of the cemetery's founders, restarted the Randolph Cemetery Association. They went to court and were given the responsibility to care for the cemetery. Since then, the association has worked hard. They have gathered donations and organized volunteers to help restore and maintain this important historical site.
Important People Buried Here
Randolph Cemetery is the final resting place for many important people. These individuals played key roles in South Carolina's history. Many of them were leaders during the Reconstruction Era. This was a time after the American Civil War when the country was rebuilt.
Here are some of the notable people buried at Randolph Cemetery:
- Henry Cardozo (1830 - 1886), a state senator.
- George Elmore (South Carolina), a businessman who helped challenge unfair voting rules in South Carolina.
- William Fabriel Myers (1850-1917), a state senator.
- William Beverly Nash (1822-1888), a state senator.
- Robert John Palmer (1849-1928), a state representative.
- Benjamin Franklin Randolph (died 1868), a state senator and important leader.
- William Simons (died 1878), a state representative.
- Samuel Benjamin Thompson (1837-1909), a state representative.
- Charles McDuffie Wilder (1835 - 1902), a postmaster and city council member in Columbia.
- Lucius Wimbush (1839 - 1872), a state senator.
