Monday, October 30, 2017

Haunted Bonaventure and Colonial Park Cemeteries


Colonial Park Cemetery has only 700 grave stones...but historical records show that 14,000 people are buried here. Oops. I guess it is no lie when locals say that Savannah is a city built on its dead. The eerily sad wall of misplaced headstones anchors the back of this photo. 



Bored Union soldiers painstakingly altered many of the misplaced headstones during the Civil War. One poor lady buried in Colonial Park had 700 children after the Yankees showed up! Another resident lived for the ungodly long time of 138 years. And Others, like the stone above, show a father of 11 years, a wife of 17 years and a son of 12 years. Hmmmm, the math doesn't quite add up. 






If you visit Colonial Park Cemetery, steer clear of the shadowy figure of Rene Asche -  the 7 foot giant that was lynched here, after being accused of mutilating two young girls near his home. (huge footprints leading away from the scene hinted at his guilt) 

But did he do it?


God only knows. Or maybe a good Savannah psychic. 



The infamous Bonaventure Cemetery will always be remembered as the spot to drink a stiff martini at the grave of Conrad Aiken. For more on that story (and others) visit my Two Tears in a Bucket post. Or read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. (if you haven't done so already)









They say the Wilmington River, flowing through the above photo, was the inspiration for the song Moon River. Johnny Mercer is just one of the famous residents at Bonaventure. 

I didn't feel any spirits at Bonaventure, (I didn't even have a martini) but they say that certain angelic or demonic sculptures come alive at night. Besides that, some Savannahians say that the angular granite faces of certain sculptures change their facial expression to a smile or even a ferocious scowl -  as the mood strikes. Either way, the hanging moss, balmy breezes and beautiful historic granite markers are sure to leave a smile on your face. 

For more spooky Halloween fun, visit The Chorus of the Crows I re-posted a couple old favorites: Two Feathered Floozies and my tour of the creepy Sand Hill Cemetery

Happy Halloween! 

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14 comments:

A Colorful World said...

I love Bonaventure! My daughter and I enjoyed visiting there a number of years ago. It is SUCH a cool cemetery. I do have to say I have to suggest that the Union soldiers did not deface the gravestones of the Southerners they hated because of boredom! What they did was unconscionable! But, great post!

NCSue said...

I love visiting historic cemeteries. There is one in Beaufort NC that I treasure.
Thanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/10/seasonal-fun-at-duke-homestead-in.html

DJan said...

That was plenty spooky enough for me, Sharon. Leave it to you to find something appropriate for the season! :-)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Maybe you needed that martini to fully appreciate the ghosts. (We loved Savannah and did visit this cemetery briefly , but experienced no spirits (of either kind) (well, not in the cemetery anyway)..... It really is such an amazing city.

Lady Fi said...

Such beautiful shots.

likeschocolate said...

I will have to look for this place the next time I am in Savannah! Have a great weekend.

elizabeth said...

Savannah is on my list of places I want to visit!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

What a great Halloween post! I'm intrigued by all the misplaced headstones I would love to do some night photography under a full moon at one of these old cemeteries.

betty-NZ said...

What interesting places! I like to read headstones and try to figure out some of their stories.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

LOoks like a great place to visit in the fall, shorter days, cloudsy nights. Very spooky

Linda Hensley said...

I'll have to add this place to my places to see. What a shame (and shamefully funny) about the changes to the headstones!

carol l mckenna said...

Fantastic photography for the season ~ ^_^

light and love ~
A ShutterBug Explores,

Just out of hospital ~ adverse reaction to flu and pneumonia shot ~ send healing energy please ~

Angie said...

So sad that people would deface the grave stones ... I know it was a long time ago ... we do live and learn, don't we? Thanks for such a complete tour, and just in time for Halloween! Have a 'spirited' week!

Pat Tillett said...

Love the photos Sharon!
I'm not afraid of cemeteries at all, but parts of this one look downright creepy.