Brandon Cemetery

Brandon Cemetery

Old Brandon Cemetery
Location Northeast of Downtown Brandon Historic District; Brandon, Mississippi
Coordinates 32°16′33″N 89°59′31″W / 32.27583°N 89.99194°W / 32.27583; -89.99194Coordinates: 32°16′33″N 89°59′31″W / 32.27583°N 89.99194°W / 32.27583; -89.99194
Built 1831
NRHP Reference # 10000925[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP November 18, 2010[2]
Designated USMS February 08, 2007[3]

Brandon Cemetery (commonly referred to as Old Brandon Cemetery) is located in Brandon, Mississippi, northeast of the Downtown Brandon Historic District. It is an 8.8 acre cemetery originally platted in 1831. The cemetery contains over 1,000 marked graves, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.[4]

Description

The cemetery is bordered by a cast iron fence and a stand of magnolia trees. The earliest graves, from 1834, are located on the eastern side of the cemetery. Graves from 1854 can be found on the western side of the property. The center of the cemetery contains a monument and plot of Civil War era graves, erected by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which contains the remains of over 200 Union and Confederate soldiers who fought in the Battle of Shiloh. One small mausoleum with a gabled roof contains the remains of members of an early local family. Other areas of the cemetery include family plots, marked by brick walls; graves of Yellow Fever epidemic victims; and un-inscribed headstones of unidentified early African American residents. The majority of the grave markers are rounded-top headstones. The cemetery also features a variety of ornate headstones; including statuary, sculptures and reliefs. Many of the decorative headstones incorporate symbols of fraternal organizations and religious imagery.[5]

Current Status

The cemetery is considered active, as there are still plots available for sale. Recent efforts have been made to improve upkeep of the cemetery, including landscaping and new fencing. The cemetery can be viewed by the public during the day, from sunrise to sunset.

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ MDA&H Historic Resources Inventory Fact Sheet
  3. ↑ MDA&H Historic Resources Inventory Fact Sheet
  4. ↑ MDAH Mississippi Historic Places Database
  5. ↑ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Summary and Narrative Detail
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