Andrew Bramlett

The Kennesaw City Cemetery has been a fixture in the community for more than a century.

The Kennesaw City Cemetery

A Look Into the Past

BY ANDREW J. BRAMLETT

About one block south from the heart of downtown Kennesaw is one of the most historic places in our community. It is not a building, nor is it a park. It has changed significantly over time, while remaining fundamentally the same. The Kennesaw City Cemetery has been a unique place here for more than a century.

The oldest known burial in the cemetery was in 1863, but the story of the land the cemetery occupies is much older. Before white settlers arrived, this area most recently had been inhabited by the Cherokee. Georgia began the process of taking their land and forcefully removing them in 1832, which was when their land in northwest Georgia became known as Cherokee County. The land then was surveyed and given away in a lottery. The property where the cemetery first started was won by the orphans of Preston Bailey, but, for reasons unknown, they chose not to accept the land.

In the 1840s and ’50s, construction began on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, which would prove to be northwest Georgia’s most important railroad. A small community was formed along the railroad as a water stop, called Big Shanty. During the Civil War, Big Shanty was the site of Camp McDonald, the largest training camp for soldiers in Georgia. Before it closed in 1863, the Great Locomotive Chase started on the tracks next to the camp. At least one witness of the chase, James A. Skelton, later was buried in the Kennesaw City Cemetery.

In October 1863, several months after Camp McDonald closed, 1-year-old Lucius Summers was buried on land that had been part of the camp. Lucius is the first known internment in the cemetery. At least four other people were laid to rest nearby before the decade ended. By 1880, the cemetery had 10 graves, and that number quadrupled by 1890. This era coincides with an important part of our community’s history, the incorporation of the city. On Sept. 21, 1887, the town of Kennesaw was incorporated, and only later did it become a city. The name Kennesaw was chosen, instead of Big Shanty, to honor the famous mountain nearby.

Despite burials dating back to 1863, it was not until 1900 that the cemetery was sold to the town of Kennesaw. Jane E. Shumway donated one acre of land

The Kennesaw City Cemetery

to the town for use as a cemetery. In December of that year, Angie Carrie loaned the city $100 at 8% interest to purchase an additional 3.5 acres from Shumway. Starting in January 1901, the cemetery was divided into lots. R.S. Eidson was made first sexton (person charged to maintain the graveyard), and was given a 10% commission on all sales. The price for a plot was set at $6 in May 1901.

In the decades that followed, some of Kennesaw’s most prominent citizens were laid to rest in the cemetery. Several of the city’s mayors are buried there, and many of the city’s businessmen, railroad workers, preachers and farmers were laid to rest in the cemetery, including J. G. Lewis, businessman and mayor, who built a threestory building downtown. Dr. John W. Ellis, who was Kennesaw’s only physician at one time; the Rev. William E. McCollum, who was so respected that around 1,000 people attended his funeral; and Charles Lawton “Hoss” Bozeman, who worked on the railroad for his entire career, also are buried there. Many other residents who helped make Kennesaw a thriving community are buried in the cemetery.

Beginning in the 1930s, Mayor Luther Chalker began using property next to the cemetery for burials. When he passed away in 1982, the land was acquired by the city of Kennesaw. This brought the cemetery’s total size to 8 acres. One of the cemetery’s sections later was named the Chalker Section, in his honor. Chalker also is the namesake of Chalker Elementary School, and he is buried in the cemetery he helped expand.

Today, there are nearly 1,400 graves in the Kennesaw City Cemetery. Lots are sold through the City Clerk’s office, and the cemetery is overseen by the Kennesaw Cemetery Preservation Commission. Little is known about the history of the commission, but the earliest record of a cemetery committee that could be found in the minutes of the Kennesaw City Council is from 1903. Fundraising efforts for the cemetery are led by the Kennesaw Cemetery Preservation Foundation, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit.

Since the cemetery is not located on a main thoroughfare, it is easy to miss when passing through town. This often-overlooked section of our city has been an integral part of the community for more than 150 years, and it constantly has changed since its creation. Its historic nature, and the notable local residents laid to rest inside, are what make the Kennesaw City Cemetery an important part of our area’s heritage.

Andrew Bramlett is vice president of the Kennesaw Historical Society and an honorary member of the Kennesaw Cemetery Preservation Commission.

HELLO

GHOST TOURS AUTUMN ACTIVITIES

Acworth Ghost Tours

Stroll down sidewalks in historic Acworth while listening to your tour guides tell stories based on documented sightings, firsthand experiences, research and history. Tours are every Friday and Saturday evening (weather permitting) in the month of October. 770-653-0756. www.jimmagus.com.

Ghosts of Marietta

Join the residents who chose to never leave on a guided tour of a past that is deep in tradition, history and quality of life. Tour guides will excite you with tales of departed spirits and mysterious residents as you walk through Marietta’s historic streets, and, if you’re lucky, you will experience them, as well. Visit www.mariettaghosts.com to book a tour, Fridays through Sundays year-round. Canton Historic Haunts

Take a trip back in time through downtown Canton, and learn about its history and haunts on a two-hour guided walking tour that begins and ends at the gazebo. The familyfriendly tours can be booked through the fall, and are sure to captivate and surprise you. https://cantonhaunts.com.

Roswell Ghost Tour

Follow experienced paranormal investigators on a 2.5-hour walking tour, operating year-round. Learn about paranormal phenomena experienced by residents, businesses and tourgoers on a hunt for haunts. http://roswellghosttour.com.

Dahlonega Walking Tours

Dive into the rich and fascinating history of Dahlonega with the Historic Ghost Tour, a 1.5-mile guided tour with approximately 15 stops. Or, for ages 21 and older, Grapes and Ghosts Wine Tour takes guests on a .6-mile guided tour. Sample local wines while listening to stories about the town’s history, as well as haunted tales from each shop. Check the calendar for tour dates. www.dahlonegawalkingtours.com/facilities.

Oct. 9

Mills Animal Hospital’s annual Fall Festival/ Open House (4514 N. Cobb Parkway NW, Suite 112, Acworth) will include a petting zoo, costume contest, games, food and a photo booth, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. https://bit.ly/3hW5Zop. Oct. 9-10

Marietta Cobb Museum of Art presents Chalktoberfest 2021, a chalk and beer festival on Marietta Square. Free and open to the public, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. www.chalktoberfest.com.

Oct. 16

Truck or Treat, a combination of Kennesaw’s Touch-A-Truck and Fall-O-Ween events, will be at Swift-Cantrell Park, 3-9 p.m. The event features a candy trail, costume contests, climbing on and interacting with fire trucks, cool cars, specialty vehicles and ends with a showing of “Ghostbusters” (PG) after sundown. For more information, visit kennesaw-ga.gov/parks-and-recreation.

Oct. 23

Acworth Halloween JamBOOree features carnival games, train rides, a petting zoo, a costume contest and more, at Logan Farm Park in Acworth, 3-7 p.m. For more information, call 770-917-1234.

The inaugural Georgia Regional Mustang

Club Octoberfast and Trunk or Treat

Classic Car Show, benefitting Calvary Children’s Home, is set for 9 a.m. at Frey Elementary School in Acworth. This is an all-car event (popular vote), and a trunk or treat car show (decorated with kid-friendly Halloween decor for kids choice). Visit https://bit.ly/3hY3x0v to register.

Oct. 23-24

Smyrna Fall Jonquil Festival, presented by Superior Plumbing, features more than 150 arts and crafts booths, food, entertainment, children’s activities and more. Visit 1282 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Email laura@ jrmmanagement.com for more information.

Oct. 30

Sprayberry Trunk or Treat, with festival food, a kids zone, spooky exhibits, local entertainment, costume contests and lots of candy, will be at Sprayberry High School football field/stadium area in Marietta, 3-7 p.m. Admission is free. $10 per person for unlimited rides, including interactive inflatables, giant slides and obstacle courses. Email laura@ jrmmanagement.com for more information.

Through Oct. 31

Visit the Pumpkin Patch Display, showcasing wooden pumpkins created by Acworth families and local businesses, at Logan Farm Park. Celebrate the season by visiting the Scarecrows on Main display, showcasing scarecrows designed by families, neighborhoods, organizations, local businesses, schools and more, on Main Street in downtown Kennesaw.

Through Nov. 5

The Acworth Scarecrow Parade is back for the fall season. Visit downtown Acworth to see scarecrows created by schools, businesses, nonprofits and other organizations. This year’s theme is a night at the movies.

OUTSIDE COBB

Weekends in October

Apple Pickin’ Jubilee, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., at Hillcrest Orchards in Ellijay. Pick your own apples, milk a cow (mask required), watch swimming pig races and listen to live bands. Admission is $15. www.hillcrestorchards.net.

Through Nov. 1

Pumpkin Fest includes unlimited access to the corn maze, hay ride, petting zoo, pig races and more at Pettit Creek Farms in Cartersville. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for ages 2-12. pettitcreekfarms.com/pumpkin-fest-2. Oct. 9-10, 16-17

The Georgia Apple Festival is back for its 50th year at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, beginning at 9 a.m. each day. Admission is $5; children 10 and under are free. Visitors can expect more than 300 vendors with handmade items, a parade and an antique car show. www.georgiaapplefestival.org. Oct. 16-17

The Gold Rush Days Festival is held annually in Dahlonega to celebrate the 1828 discovery of gold in the city. More than 200 art and craft exhibitors and vendors will gather around the square and historic district for this two-day festival. www.goldrushdaysfestival.com/gold-rush-days. Oct. 23

The Great Pumpkin Fest, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Cherokee Veterans Park, will be fun for all ages, with bounce houses and games, craft vendors, food trucks, face painting, a hayride, helicopter rides and more. Bring your own pumpkin to launch from a trebuchet, and don’t forget to wear your costume and trick or treat with the vendors. Contact bbjohnson@cherokeega.com for more details.

Oct. 27

Hiking Scavenger Hunt: Halloween is at Lewis Park in Woodstock, 6:30 p.m. Wear your costumes, and have flashlights ready. Cost is $10 per participant. All ages are welcome; minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration ends 5 p.m. Oct. 25. Email cafussell@cherokeega.com. Oct. 29

HollowSteam and Fall Festival is set for 4-10 p.m. at the Rock Barn in Canton. There will be pumpkin carving, a costume contest, a haunted maze and more. Visit www.wayneevents.com/event-details/ hollowsteam-fall-festival for tickets.