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Alabama Cemeteries: A Guide to Their Stories in Stone
Of special interest to libraries and genealogists in search of local cemeteries. Complete with black-and-white photos, directions, and state map.
129 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 18, 2011
Alabama Cemeteries' first listing is the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard, final home to more than 165 dogs. The choice to open the book with this strange little burial ground hints at the quirky personality of the author who collected these photographs and tall tales.
The stories range from a man struck twice by lightning in life and at least three times in his grave to the Cherokee mother who buried her infant inside a hollow tree beside the Trail of Tears, from the rise up from slavery of Alabama's first African American congressman (in 1870!) to the "Paul Revere" of the South and an arsonist KKK sheriff, to the way Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver ended up resting eternally at the Tuskegee University.
Although the black-and-white illustrations suffer from the printing process, they are fascinating. Booth documents tombstones adorned with death masks in Mount Nebo Cemetery, the brick playhouse built by grieving parents in Oakwood Cemetery, and weeping women in graveyards across the state.
Of the books that describe places I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit, Alabama Cemeteries most sparked my wanderlust.
This review originally appeared in Gothic.Net in November 2002.
The stories range from a man struck twice by lightning in life and at least three times in his grave to the Cherokee mother who buried her infant inside a hollow tree beside the Trail of Tears, from the rise up from slavery of Alabama's first African American congressman (in 1870!) to the "Paul Revere" of the South and an arsonist KKK sheriff, to the way Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver ended up resting eternally at the Tuskegee University.
Although the black-and-white illustrations suffer from the printing process, they are fascinating. Booth documents tombstones adorned with death masks in Mount Nebo Cemetery, the brick playhouse built by grieving parents in Oakwood Cemetery, and weeping women in graveyards across the state.
Of the books that describe places I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit, Alabama Cemeteries most sparked my wanderlust.
This review originally appeared in Gothic.Net in November 2002.
August 30, 2020
I got Alabama Cemeteries from my library in a Covid surprise bag where the librarians pick your books and place them curbside. Great! Why would I want a book on cemeteries?
Turns out Alabama Cemeteries is funny and a joy to read even if you don't plan to visit cemeteries in Alabama. The book features interesting stories about colorful characters who weren't necessary from Alabama, but ended up being buried in Alabama. Each story comes with photographs and directions just in case you do want to visit the cemeteries.
I recommend Alabama Cemeteries for history buffs!
Turns out Alabama Cemeteries is funny and a joy to read even if you don't plan to visit cemeteries in Alabama. The book features interesting stories about colorful characters who weren't necessary from Alabama, but ended up being buried in Alabama. Each story comes with photographs and directions just in case you do want to visit the cemeteries.
I recommend Alabama Cemeteries for history buffs!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews