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Church Street Graveyard: Mobile's Resting Place of History

Explore Mobile's history at Church Street Graveyard, a final resting place of notable figures and a showcase of 19th-century artistry.

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Step back in time at the Church Street Graveyard, a historic cemetery in downtown Mobile, Alabama, established in 1819. Surrounded by a brick wall dating back to 1830, this four-acre site is the final resting place for many of Mobile's early residents and notable figures, offering a glimpse into the city's rich past.

A brief summary to Church Street Graveyard

Local tips

  • Visit during daylight hours, as the graveyard closes at 4 PM.
  • Take a guided tour to learn about the notable figures buried here and the history of the cemetery.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven ground.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Bienville Square in downtown Mobile, head east on Dauphin Street. Turn left onto Jackson Street, then turn right onto Church Street. The Church Street Graveyard will be on your left. The walk is approximately 10 minutes. There is no fee to enter the graveyard.

  • Public Transport

    The Mobile Transit Authority (MTA) provides bus service in the downtown area. Check the MTA website or app for the most up-to-date routes and schedules to the Church Street area. From the nearest bus stop, follow the walking directions above. A single ride fare is $1.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Mobile. Request a ride to 805 Church Street, Mobile, AL 36602. The fare from downtown Mobile will typically range from $8 to $12, depending on traffic and demand.

Unlock the Best of Church Street Graveyard

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Discover more about Church Street Graveyard

Church Street Graveyard, acquired by the City of Mobile in 1820, replaced the older Campo Santo burial ground. The earliest burials date back to 1819, with many early interments being victims of yellow fever. The graveyard was divided into sections for Catholics, Protestants, and a section for strangers. Masons, Odd Fellows, veterans, and the indigent were also interred in the western section. The cemetery was closed to new burials in 1898, though exceptions have been made by city resolution. Many gravestones are significant examples of stone carving from New England and the Gulf Coast in the early 19th century. The cemetery also features early examples of wrought and cast iron work. Notable people buried here include Joe Cain, a key figure in the history of Mobile's Mardi Gras, and Eugene Walter, an actor and author. Other notable interments include Don Miguel Eslava, an early Spanish official, Dominique Louis Dolive, an early French settler, and James Roper, the builder of Oakleigh. The Church Street Graveyard Preservation Foundation was formed in 1993 to restore the graveyard. The graveyard tells the story of Mobile's historical development and the people who contributed to its heritage through its tombs, markers, and monuments. Visitors are sometimes surprised to find that the graveyard was never racially segregated.

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