The Magical Magnolia Cemetery

An old oak tree in the cemetery 

The Magnolia Cemetery is a beautiful Victorian cemetery located in none other than the beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. The cemetery opened in 1850 and spans across 150 acres of land filled with old oak trees and vibrant azaleas. There are 35,000 people buried in this non-denominational cemetery.

This cemetery reminded me of the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. The Bonaventure Cemetery was established only four years earlier than Magnolia in 1846! Both cemeteries have many striking similarities with the rows of flowers and looming oak trees.

One of my favorite parts of the cemetery was the beautiful large pond that sits in the middle of the cemetery. To me, the pond made the cemetery seem more like a park or a garden where someone can go relax and enjoy a day to themselves. I somewhat wish that there were more benches around the cemetery so I could enjoy the scenery.

Magnolia Cemetery pond

I enjoyed how the cemetery was not just straight lines of plots and gravesites. I loved the twists and turns and the uniqueness of every memorial I passed. I do not believe there was one memorial in there that was the same as another. Although the sun was setting, the cemetery seemed to be well shaded which would make these hot summer days much more bearable while enjoying a stroll through the cemetery. 

View through the oak trees

Hughes monument and plot

One of my favorite memorials was the memorial of Edward Thomas Hughes, his wife, and their daughter. Edward Hughes was born here in Charleston in 1832. His wife, Anna, was born in Charleston as well in 1834. Their first child was a daughter who was named after her mother, Anna. She was born in 1860 but died in 1862 a few months before her second birthday. 

I love this monument because it was one of the first ones I saw as soon as I entered the cemetery. It stands grandly in the middle of a family plot waiting for your attention. 

Bird monument

My second favorite memorial is the one of William and Hattie Bird. William was born in Charleston in 1837 and married Hattie who was from Connecticut. Throughout his life, he was very interested in the Charleston Museum and sold and advertised whale oil. 

I love this memorial because the women that sits atop the pedestal is a life-size statue of Hattie. I think the memorial is absolutely gorgeous. The drapery could symbolize mourning or sorrow. The drapery could symbolize his feelings of sorrow because his wife passed almost 40 years before him. 

 

Sundial in Canneau-Calder plot

My third favorite memorial is not necessarily a specific grave, however, it is something inside a family plot. The Canneau-Calder plot contains a few graves that I am assuming belong to a family, for I, unfortunately, did not take any pictures of the specific graves. I did take a picture of what was placed in the middle of the plot which was a small, yet intriguing, sundial. 

On the sundial, there was an hourglass with wings sprouted from behind it. The hourglass symbolizes the inevitable passing of time. Under the hourglass are the simple beautiful words "light follows darkness". 

The Magnolia Cemetery was a wonderful conclusion to the many cemetery adventures I have had throughout this semester. After this cemetery visit, I have a newfound admiration for these lovely Victorian cemeteries I have visited, including the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah. I hope to one day come back to Magnolia Cemetery so I can enjoy all the beauty it has to offer again. 

My FYE class in Magnolia Cemetery