Known as one of the prettiest cemeteries in America, Bonaventure Cemetery should be on everyone’s tour of Savannah, Georgia. Located only three miles outside the city, Bonaventure welcomes you with peaceful, old live oaks dripping with Spanish moss — a backdrop for interesting headstones, family plots, and marble statuary paying tribute to those who have gone before.

Begin at the entrance where you’ll find helpful volunteers and docents from the Bonaventure Historical Society standing in the portico of this classic red brick Administrative Building giving directions and detailed advice to visitors. An incredible three-dimensional map (only $8.00) marks dirt paths leading to the graves you want to see. And all of Bonaventure is easily accessible by car or foot.

“Drive slowly and stop often” is our advice. Especially if you want to take in the beauty of hand-chiseled headstones, elegant statues and arches, and tributes to families who have contributed so much to the fabric of this historic area. Some of the notables include Noble Jones, physician and builder of Wormsloe Plantation; Alexander R. Lawton, member of House of Representatives and Senate; Hugh Mercer, Brigadier General and Commander of Savannah; Edward Telfair, first governor of Georgia; Conrad Aiken, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and poet; Edward Telfair, First Governor of Georgia, and his daughter, Mary Telfair, founder of the oldest art museum in the South; and Johnny Mercer, American songwriter and winner of four Oscars for movie lyrics.
One of the most sought-after graves is that of a young girl named Gracie, and you can see that people pay tribute to this beloved child by leaving flowers, coins, and small stones. The legend of Gracie holds that she was “loved by Savannah’s elite for her role as entertainer and hostess during her mother’s extravagant Pulaski Hotel parties,” according to the map we purchased from the Historical Society. Sadly, Gracie died at age six of nephritis, but her funeral was attended by thousands who loved her.

The grave of poet Conrad Aiken is marked simply with a headstone and bench, but it’s definitely one that is patronized frequently, judging from the worn area left by tourists. Aiken was the first Georgia-born author to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

One of our favorite spots was the gravesite of American lyricist Johnny Mercer, a beloved song writer and founder of Columbia Records. We recognized a number of his winning songs etched into a commemorative bench: “Moon River,” “Days of Wine and Roses,” “Hooray for Hollywood,” and many others.


Wander the grounds to look for special pieces — like this towering angel that seems to be giving you a blessing just for visiting Bonaventure.

But don’t look for “Bird Girl,” immortalized on the cover of John Berendt’s book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. She was once at Bonaventure, but had to be moved since she attracted many tourists exacting a bit more wear and tear than Bonaventure could stand. You can now find her in the Jepson Center for the Arts.

Even if you don’t look for all of Savannah’s most notable citizens in Bonaventure, you can stroll the property or drive the pathways as you soak up the beauty of a true Southern hideaway surrounded by salt marshes and populated with birds of varying species. Taking a guided tour is another option if you want additional information on Bonaventure’s past and present.

Beautiful, historic and important — Bonaventure is worth a quiet morning contemplating the brevity of life.
Travel historically,
Rusha & Bert
For more information:
Location: Bonaventure Cemetery: 330 Bonaventure Road, Savannah, GA
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
What a lovely cemetery, thanks for the introduction
Oh, the Places We See
You would love taking pictures there!!!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Most likely, I also enjoyed looking at yours 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks!!!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
I am sure I would 🙂
CompassAndCamera
Interesting story about Gracie and all the people who loved her!
Oh, the Places We See
It was a sweet statue to see. But children’s graves make me sad.
rajkkhoja
Lovely peaceful place. Historically photography. I like.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s a very pretty place, and we have great respect for the headstones that have stood the test of time.
maristravels
This one looks really interesting, and such a wealth of statuary there. I’d love to visit it.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s one of the prettiest cemeteries we’ve ever visited. So much to see, and surrounded by these lovely trees and pathways. Thanks for taking a look.
WanderingCanadians
What a beautiful cemetery and how neat to learn about a few of the people who were buried here.
Oh, the Places We See
It makes for a fascinating tour. And thankfully, most of it has been well cared for and preserved. Truly a find!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Lovely peaceful place. We have visited a number of notable cemeteries, they can be so beautiful, one of which was in Paris, some of the tombs are so ornate and interesting
Oh, the Places We See
Would love to see a cemetery in Paris — that city is beautiful no matter where you are!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Yes, Paris is a wonderful city
Toonsarah
This looks lovely, and so peaceful. I would take lots of photos here!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for looking. You would love this place — for the serenity as well as for the photo ops!
RobbyeFaye
I so enjoyed this, I enjoy studying gravestones-they have so much history!
I have wanted to go to the Savannah are for years! Perhaps I’ll get there soon.
Thanks for the blog.
Oh, the Places We See
You’re so right — so much history but in gorgeous settings. Hope you get to Savannah someday — much to see and do!
RobbyeFaye
Oh, I can imagine.
Thank you, I’m praying I’ll get to go soon!
Steve Berger
We also enjoy visiting cemeteries. So much history and character. Thank you for the tour.
Oh, the Places We See
I used to never go to cemeteries — too creepy, it seemed. But now, I admire the headstones, and I even read some of the inscriptions. I like to see old places where the artful headstones have endured for years.