Sweet Savannah: Bonaventure Cemetery

31Mar
by Oh, the Places We See
Mercer family graves, Bonaventure Cemetery

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.

Bonaventure Cemetery - Dieter statue
Paying tribute to George Dieter, Jr., this lovely statue surrounded by live oaks epitomizes the Southern charm of Bonaventure.

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.

Bonaventure Cemetery entrance
Administrative Building for Bonaventure Cemetery and entrance to the Jewish section

“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.

  • Bonaventure Cemetery gravesites
  • Bonaventure Cemetery, detail of grave
  • Bonaventure Cemetery -- grave with camellias

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.

Gracie's gravesite - Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah
One of the most popular gravesites is that of Gracie. Note the flowers and coins left by visitors on the wrought iron gate.

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.

Poet Conrad Aiken gravesite, Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah
Bert pays tribute to poet Conrad Aiken at Bonaventure Cemetery.

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.

Bonaventure Cemetery - Johnny Mercer's gravesite
Gravesite for Johnny Mercer, American lyricist and founder of Columbia Records

Mercer bench - Bonaventure Cemetery
Mercer bench inscribed with song titles and a famous quote, “Buddy, I’m a song writer, and I’ve gotta lotta things to say.”

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

Tall angel in Bonaventure Cemetery

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.

Midnight in Garden of Good and Evil book jacket
No longer in Bonaventure, Bird Girl can be found in Telfair Square at 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.

Bonaventure Cemetery family plot
Peaceful family plot in Bonaventure Cemetery

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.

23 thoughts on “Sweet Savannah: Bonaventure Cemetery”

  8. 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.

    Reply

    1. 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.

      Reply

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