Happy New Year, everyone!
The research into my latest endeavor, Hidden History of Mobile (as in Mobile, Alabama), is well underway. I had a chance to spend some time this past Saturday with the Manager of Municipal Cemeteries Tighe Marston.
As always, it was a fascinating discussion about the 300+ year old city’s historic cemeteries especially Magnolia Cemetery, the oldest Victorian cemetery in the Southeast. I picked up some very interesting tidbits of information about a couple of the cemetery’s occupants, little known history that I am fleshing out the details of right now. Stay tuned.
While the history of Mobile’s luminaries who are buried there is fascinating, the actual cemetery itself is remarkable. If you are ever in the Port City, take a trip to Virginia Street and stroll the grounds. Before you go, pick up a copy of a document that tells you about Victorian era symbolism at the gatehouse.
Yes, you will see some spectacular monuments in the cemetery, but look close at those marble statues, obelisks, and markers. Focus in on the detail carved into those monuments. They all have a meaning: A broken column symbolizes a person being cut down in their prime; a lamb is found on children’s grave symbolizing purity; a dog represents loyalty.
So, the research continues. I’ll be spending a lot more time with dead people in the weeks to come. Hidden History of Mobile is due out this fall. I’ll keep you updated.
