Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery- Rebels, Yankees, Jews, Blacks and Whites sharing the same ground | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Ted McDonald recently posted Obsolete History 02 about rewriting history. It contained a picture of the wounded Lion watching over the Unknown Confederate soldiers at Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery.Here are a few thoughts and facts about Oakland Cemetery.

    The wounded lion sculpture in Oakland Cemetery was commissioned in 1894 and was the largest piece of marble at that time. It oversees the Confederate graves of unknown.

    My best friend's mother is buried there. She died in the 1965 (he was 18). When we both got out of the Army in 1969, we visited the Cemetery and her grave had caved in since there was no cement vault. The Grass was overgrown and a hangout for wino's and other malcontents. We hauled dirt in to fill the sunken grave but he never went back until a few years ago after it was added to the National Register.

    "Since Oakland is not and was never a perpetual care cemetery, maintenance of grave sites was the responsibility of the families of the interred. Of course, time sees the movement of families and the general disconnection with ancestors as generations pass. Because of this, many grave sites have fallen into disrepair from neglect and sometimes vandalism. Therefore, shortly after Oakland was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 28, 1976, the Historic Oakland Foundation was established. The Foundation has overseen the restoration and upkeep of many grave sites, monuments, mausolea, and buildings that had been affected by the ravages of time. Their activity, which is supported by donations, grants, and special events, continues today as they maintain and restore the cemetery as well as provide guided tours of the grounds".

    Today Oakland Cemetery is a well-maintained cemetery and attracts frequent visitors. It is interesting to note that today there is a Jewish section, a Black section, a Union soldiers section, a Confederation section as well as the Potters field. It seems that we cannot learn the lesson that we all will share the same earth eventually but cannot find the key to sharing it while we are above it.

    The cemetery is the resting place of former Mayor Maynard Jackson, Margret Mitchell Marsh, Ivan Allen, Jr. and Franklin Miller Garrett (1906 - 2000), Atlanta historian notable for his extensive survey of Atlanta cemeteries. He was dubbed "Atlanta's Official Historian" and is buried on commons ground on a plot donated by the City of Atlanta. Oakland Cemetery

    In true Atlanta Fashion, there is a bar across the street named Six Feet Under. Atlanta does not have a history of reverence for historical locations. As long as there is room to tear down and build a commercial building, Atlanta is more than willing to move on from it's past. Thanks To General William Tecumseh Sherman, the tear down part was easily accomplished and set the tone for later demolitions of buildings and historical locations. Atlanta was at one time called the "City too Busy to Hate" but now it is known as "The City too Busy to Care" by the historical buffs still in residence. Six Feet Under Bar and Resturant

    I am not one of those who believe that every leaf or twig should be preserved for posterity, but there should be some common sense applied to certain historical locations. Atlanta is and always has been a city of commerce. It was the hub where the railroads crossed and headed in all directions. It is no surprise that it is still the magnet of the South for rural people seeking a better life as well as accomplished business people seeking to expand their business. My personal opinion is that Atlanta is one of the cities that have moved on from its history. That is sometimes at the cost of preservation some important artifacts.

    One of our best mayors in Atlanta was Ivan Allen Jr. He served as mayor of Atlanta from 1962 to 1970. Here is a picture of him with his display of Ground Breaking Shovels circa 1960's which illustrates the tremendous change that he brought to the Atlanta landscape and skyline. Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. and his collection of shovels

"He is credited with leading the city through an era of significant physical and economic growth and with maintaining calm during the civil rights movement. While other southern cities experienced recurring violence, Atlanta leaders, led in part by Mayor Allen, were able to broker more peaceful paths to integration". Ivan Allen 1911 - 2003

    "The mayor rose to the occasion again when, in April 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered in Memphis. Allen knew that the nation's eyes would be on Atlanta, where King's burial would take place. He acted instinctively and with great compassion in helping Mrs. Coretta King cope with the tragedy, and in dealing with the emotional response of the black community. He took to the streets to talk to Atlanta's African American citizens and express his sorrow. In contrast, Governor Lester Maddox called out large numbers of state police to protect him and the State Capitol. Other cities saw major outbursts of violence; Atlanta did not. This non-violence was at least partly due to Allen's fair-minded approach and his good working relationship with a number of black leaders.
    The mayor's most important backer and advisor, Robert Woodruff, told Allen what he already knew: that Atlanta would be the focus of the world in the following few days. Woodruff offered any assistance, including funds if the city did not have the money, to handle the funeral in the most proper and respectful manner. The funeral drew dignitaries from around the country and a huge crowd of onlookers. All was peaceful, and Atlanta basked in the accolades received".Legacy of Ivan Allen Jr.

   Here is Mayor Ivan Allens memory of the event:

    "Ivan received a call from President Lyndon Johnson: He told the Mayor "We've had a lot of rioting in the country.....I'll do whatever's necessary, Mayor, but this stuff is breaking out all over. I hope we don't have to send anybody down there. I hope if it gets bad in Atlanta the National Guard can take care of it".
    Then, just as Mayor Allen was preparing to leave City Hall, he took a long distance call from Robert Woodruff, the developer of Coca cola...
    "Ivan," he said "the minute they bring King's body back tomorrow ---between then and the time of the funeral ---Atlanta, Georgia is going to be the center of the universe". He paused "I want you to do whatever is right and necessary, and whatever the city can't pay for will be taken care of. Just do it right..." Atlanta Environs III (pages 514-515)

    He also was the mayor who had the most influence in moving away from our historical fixation with Confederate Memorials and artifacts. Regardless of your personal prejudices, Mayor Allen helped to bring Atlanta into the modern age with new construction and new businesses moving to Atlanta. At the same time we had a governor Lester Maddox who was famous for selling pick handles and refusing to serve Negroes in his restaurant. That was the yin and yang of the South then and sometimes even today. We are a very curious people down here.

   Please do not misunderstood me here. I have great reverence for the heroes of the Confederacy and their courage in standing up for what they believed in. I do not however have a sentimental view that wants to go back to those times when people were property and individual rights were determined by the color of your skin. It took me a long time to come to the realization that I could respect and admire the warrior while at the same time disagreeing with his reasons for fighting.

The Man He Killed
Thomas Hardy 1840-1928

"Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have set us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin!

But ranged as infantry,
And staring face to face,
I shot at him as he at me,
And killed him in his place

I shot him dead because
Because he was my foe,
Just so: my foe of course he was;
That's clear enough; although

He thought he'd 'list, perhaps,
Off-hand like—just as I—
Was out of work—had sold his traps—
No other reason why.

Yes; quaint and curious war is!
You shoot a fellow down
You'd treat, if met where any bar is,
Or help to half a crown"